"MAGIC BOOTS OF ENGLAND" The Sun

England Team

Croatia Team

    Match Report by Mike Payne

On a blistering hot day at Wembley, England began their group matches in the delayed Euro 2020 competition. Their opponents had beaten them in the World Cup semi-final in 2018, and although revenge was not on the agenda, it would be sweet nonetheless. Gareth Southgate had made some difficult calls in his team selection, some that surprised the majority, would his selections prove justified, time would tell.

The match had a lively start and Croatia were a little unlucky with their first attack, as the ball struck the referee just as a shot looked on. As per the new rules, the match was started with a drop ball and England cleared. Not only that, from a great throw-in by Kieran Trippier, Raheem Sterling sped away, running at the Croatian defence. He laid the perfect pass into the path of Phil Foden, who checked inside onto his favoured left-foot, and curled a delightful shot that struck the inside of the far post and is cleared by a defender. So unlucky for the youngster, and so nearly a dream start.

On eight minutes Sterling won a corner and from the kick the ball dropped to Kalvin Phillips, and he volleys the ball at goal only for goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic to make a fine save. The keeper did well to see it as the ball came through a forest of legs. England continued with their bright start, forcing Croatia back, and not allowing them any space. Five minutes later a free-kick found Harry Kane, but he was offside. Then Sterling again causes problems, but his centre was cleared.

The heat was stifling, and conservation of energy was going to be important for both sides. So it was no surprise when there were lulls in the play at times. Another clever throw-in by Trippier again found Sterling running for goal. But this time he went for the shot but scuffed it wide. At the other end, as England tired a little, Croatia, and especially Luca Modric, started to find their feet. Several crosses were coming in and England needed to step it up again after their dominance of the first 25 minutes. There are times when England’s play is a little frustrating, and the tippy-tappy around their own area was a little worrying. To be fair though, England held possession well, Croatia were definitely becoming more threatening, although without troubling Jordan Pickford.

Both Foden and Mason Mount had faded after their terrific start and Kane was having to pick the ball up very deep at times. Superb control from Foden, bringing down a long through ball, was ruined when he and Kyle Walker were not on the same wavelength as Walker’s pass went out for a goal-kick. In the 42nd minute Sterling won a free-kick on the edge of the box following a handball, but Trippier’s shot couldn’t penetrate the wall. At the back, both John Stones and Tyrone Mings looked full of confidence and composure, and they were both playing very well.

At half-time, it was satisfactory, but one couldn’t help but worry that one slight mistake would be punished by the wily Croatian team. Just like, in the early minutes after the restart, when Trippier’s header back towards Pickford was not quite firm enough. Luckily Pickford was alert to the danger and rushed out to clear the ball away. On 53 minutes, a poor pass from the subdued Kane ended one promising move and then two minutes later Modric fired in a shot that gave Pickford his first real save. But two minutes after that came the breakthrough.

At last, after much passing backwards, a forward pass brought rich rewards. The impressive Phillips picked the ball up just inside the Croatian half, strode forward, cut inside, and then fed a terrific pass into the path of Sterling who shot home as a defender’s challenge came in. A fine move and a good goal. It was almost 2-0 when Foden found Mount on the left and the Chelsea player’s cross was so nearly bundled home by Kane at the far post. Sadly, he couldn’t quite keep his shot down and he also injured himself as he crashed into a post.

Foden was booked for one foul, and during the match three of the Croatia team also received yellow cards. On 65 minutes an attack in the England box caused danger but it ended when Ante Rebic pulled his shot well wide. At the other end Mount was fouled on the edge of the box, and he took the kick himself this time, and came within a "fag paper" of hitting the top corner. After Marcelo Brozovic then volleyed wide, changes were made from the line. Croatia brought on two new players and Marcus Rashford replaced the tiring Foden.

On 73 minutes a cross from the right by Croatia almost caused a mix-up between Pickford and Walker, until the keeper snatched the ball away from danger. Mings then headed down from a corner only for Sterling to shoot over the bar. Declan Rice and Phillips were working so hard in the midfield, with Rice’s work going largely unnoticed as he continually harried and intercepted. Phillips had a tremendous match, certainly his best in an England shirt, and it must be said that all the players seemed to be enjoying the experience.

As the match moved into the last ten minutes, the overriding thought from the England fans was "nothing silly now". Jude Bellingham came on for Kane before Ivan Perisic’s cross was well caught by Pickford. Croatia, were probing and searching for gaps, with Modric showing all his class, but without finding the answers. Pickford took the heat out of one situation near the end with another good interception, and generally there were no alarms to worry what had been a fine defensive display by the England players.

So, England, for the first time, start a European Championship Finals Tournament with a win and everyone in the stadium enjoyed the atmosphere, the spectacle and, for most of them anyway, the result. Now it is ‘Bring on the Scots’ time. England must beware here because they will be no pushovers, and remember this, which team do Scotland always raise their game against? And which team do they always most want to beat? We shall see.
       

Source Notes