England, a nation that is known for harboring the most exciting and entertaining league in the world. When it comes to a league where all the dramas and excitements lie, the premier league is the first that comes to mind.
The premier league might have everything in football, but it hasn’t always been the case with the England national team at the world or European stage.
When you talk about teams who perform at the world or European stage, there are few teams that come to mind before the English side.
Over the past few years, England had been the shadow of themselves, from the side that won the world cup so many years ago and never performed at the top level.
Two years ago saw the appointment of Gareth Southgate as the New England manager, a young manager to bring in the new era to the team and take the team to another level.
Under Gareth Southgate, the England national team has looked reborn and are showing signs of being up there with the other top nations in world football.
Their quality performances saw them reach the semifinals of the just completed 2018 world cup tournament but were painfully knocked out by Croatia, who stopped their dream of reaching the world cup final after so many barren years.
THE REVENGE AGAINST CROATIA
The nation’s league saw England put up a revenge against Croatia, coming back from a goal deficit to win the game 2-1 in the last minutes of the game.
Even though the gravity of the victory isn’t as huge as the world cup semifinal loss to Croatia, it still qualifies as a good way to put up a revenge against the team that knocked them out in the world cup.
Speaking about the revenge against Croatia, let’s take a look at a brief post-match analysis of the match against Croatia.
ENGLAND VS CROATIA – BRIEF POST MATCH ANALYSES
It was a game most football lovers were really anticipating. England who still had fresh memories of their loss to Croatia at the world cup knew they had to win this to at least console themselves.
The atmosphere before the game was buzzing as supporting fans were cheering and chanting.
Both sides were pumped and ready to take on each other. For England, it was more of a payback match.
The game began and as expected, Croatia started in their favorite 4-3-3 formation, with their star man Luka Modric in the squad. England on the other hand also lined up in their preferred 4-3-3, with Kane, Rashford and the inform Sterling all in the starting 11.
The kickoff whistle was blown and the battle began…
As the game kicked off, England were immediately on the front foot and threatening the Croatian goal.
England kept on pushing to get their goal and nearly got the first goal through Kane but saw he shot blocked.
England were on the front foot for the most part of the game and had so many opportunities to score 2-3 goals early in the game, but it was Croatia who got the first goal about an hour in the game before England came back from a goal down to finally win the game 2-1 in an dramatic fashion, similar to their loss against Croatia at the world cup.
Croatia goal:
It was Kramaric who gave the Croatian the lead in the 57th minute after pulling off numerous dummies in the box to find space to release a shot which got a little bit of deflection to find the top corner. 1nill to Croatia and instantly, things were already looking like it was going to be yet another victory over the English side.
England first goal:
England had to go back to basics and utilized the long throw tactics which paid off. A long throw into the Croatia box which fell to the path of Kane who did an amazing job to control the ball and managed to get his shot away, but it was Lingard who ensured the ball was in the net to make it 1-1 and an all-important equalizing goal for England.
England second goal:
What a way to score the winning goal in the 85th minute against a team that knocked you out of a world cup semifinal. It was a well-deserved goal considering their top performance in the game. A fantastic freekick cross was played into the Croatian penalty box, only for Kane to slide and get his feet on the ball to get the ball into the net and giving England the well-deserved revenge victory against Croatia.
It was a game England wanted to win and they finally got what they wanted. The victory ensures England are in the finals of the nation's league.
Judging the England team by their performances so far under Gareth Southgate, the question is; can they win a major tournament under Gareth Southgate?
MY OPINION
For me, I would say yes… Southgate is really doing a great job with this England side, making the play in a more expansive fashion. Their performance at the world cup was really good and their recent performance against Croatia has shown glimpses that this England team are well capable to perform at the very top level.
If they keep working hard and improving, they have the players that can win trophies.
The draw for the euro 2020 qualification is fast approaching, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and see how this England side perform, and if they qualify for the euro 2020 tournament, it will be another great test for Southgate and his England side against the very best in Europe.
And that is a wrap…
What do you think… Do you think England can win a major tournament under Southgate?
I would love to read your own opinions… Enjoy your day.
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