Much was made of Manchester United forward’s absence from recent squads but he was in the zone on his home groundOver on the left, Marcus Rashford was busy softening North Macedonia up with his direct running and mazy dribbles. Further back, Declan Rice was holding his position in defensive midfield, maintaining his discipline and making sure to keep possession ticking over. Meanwhile Jordan Henderson was in ultra-pest mode, all boundless energy as he charged down every lost cause, a one-man pressing machine who appeared to be on a mission to prove that meaning can be found even in a facile mid-June Euro 2024 qualifier played on a Monday night in Manchester.This was England at their most merciless. There is a...
Best creative attacker is likely to determine whether Gareth Southgate can finally mould a genuine champion teamWith 40 minutes gone at Wembley Stadium Bukayo Saka took the ball in the inside left channel, bumped away the yellow shirt at his back and produced that familiar whip‑crack turn, one of those moments where he just seems to have a weirdly preternatural grasp of the physics of movement, snaking off into spaces that aren’t, technically, supposed to be there. Perhaps this is one reason why he gets kicked a lot. There is no logical answer to this problem.Saka had time to think about what to do next, a micro-second of processing time. The finish was ridiculous. Not novel or unorthodox: the left-foot...
Sixteen years after reopening, Wembley still does not feel like home but it gave the visitors an opportunity for expressionA recorded announcement plays on a loop on the approach to Wembley Stadium. “I’m Clive Tyldesley,” says the voice, for the voice is indeed Clive Tyldesley’s. “It is not allowed to drink alcohol on Olympic Way or the surrounding streets. This is due to a Public Space Protection Order. I’m sorry, it’s the law.”On Tyldesley goes, advising fans that anybody caught with an open container of alcohol will be dealt with by law enforcement officers, before warning that bags over a certain size will not be permitted into the stadium. “I’m sorry,” Tyldesley repeats, and to be fair he genuinely does...
Europe needs to reflect on how fortunate it is to host a tournament in a democracy and create a spirit of optimismThe countdown to Euro 2024 is ticking. The qualifiers begin on 23 March with Kazakhstan against Slovenia. These will be the first international matches after the World Cup, which was attractive in sporting terms but controversial in Europe. Qatar benefits from football for its political goals. We should do the same.The 2024 European Championship being in the heart of Europe offers the ideal opportunity to do so. Germany welcomes the continent and seeks to defend it with the common achievements that make it strong. The tournament obliges us to put football back in the spotlight. Fans want a purity...
As his last tournament cycle starts, let’s appreciate a manager who has endured a grossly disproportionate level of derisionGareth Southgate, the whole of England is with you. Perhaps this was the first and last point at which these words were ever spoken truthfully. Perhaps it wasn’t even true at the time. The inevitable tranche of snark and eyeball-rolling at Southgate’s latest England squad belies the fact that very little of substance has changed in the three months since the defeat against France.The seven midfielders are the same as they were in Qatar. Harry Maguire is still in the centre of defence. Harry Kane’s penalty is still airborne. And for all the soul-searching and agonising, Southgate too is still there: still...