The 3 Lions of England had hoped to play in the Maiden Euro Nation League final, but their hope was dashed after losing 1-3 to the resurgence Orange Boys of the Netherland. The Portuguese midfielder, Bernando Silva had hope for a Portugal-England final, a chance to play against familiar English lad faces but it wasn't to be as Portugal will play Netherland instead in the final at the Estadio Do Dragao, Porto.
England was the architect of their own woes as 2 sloppy defending from John Stone and Ross Barkley cost them victory, having to take a 1st half lead only to relinquish the lead late on and then lose out completely on a disappointing fashion.
Most of the pre-match news in the English camp was the fitness of their captain and striker Harry Kane, the Englishman was rushed from injury to play for his Tottenham team in the UCL final against Liverpool, but he was largely ineffective in the 0-2 Spurs loss. So, it was understandably when England Boss, Gareth Southgate started Kane from the bench and opted for the young trio of Jaden Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in England's front 3 line up.
Rashford justified his inclusion in the line up when he won and converted a 32nd-minute spot-kick against the run of play, having been brought down by Dutch's young central defender, Matthijs De Ligt. England held on to the lead going into the half-time break. The 2nd half started, and it was the Dutch side probing for an equalizer, which they eventually got. De Ligt made amends for his conceded spot-kick when he rose highest in the 73rd minute to nod home teammate, Memphis Depay's corner kick to leveled scores at 1 all. With no further legitimate goal in the regulation time, the match was forced into an additional 30 extra minutes.
It was barely 7 minutes into the extra time(97 min) when Netherland went into the lead, a careless and nerve play by England's defender, John Stone and he was robbed off the ball by Depay whos initial effort on goal was saved by England Jordan Pickford in goal, but it was rebound into the net through un-rushing Kyle Walker in an attempt to block Dutch's Quincy Promes. Netherland sealed their victory with 6 minutes to play of the extra time, England midfielder, Ross Barkley this time was dispossessed in the area as he dwelled too long on the ball, Depay once again the fox in the box who squared yo teammate Promes to tuck home, 3-1 is finished, as the Dutch's good run continues.
MATCH TALKING POINTS:
• Marcus Rashford was sub-off for Harry Kane at half-time after picking up an injury, and the substitution may have snuffed the fire out of England's attack as Kane was once again ineffective.
• criticized style of play was criticized at some quarters, with no real, talented ball-playing, deep-lying midfielder to call on, playing from the back is always going to be a delicate style, and it proved costly as 2 errors from trying to build attack resulted in Netherland's winning goals. However, England Manager, Southgate reiterated that he will not abandon the style, that his team got to the Nation League final playing from the back.
• VAR was in the radar yet again, as England's goal through Jesse Lingard was chopped off for a fractional offside, a good call from the Dutch point of view, I doubt if England agrees with the call.
England will now play Switzerland in the 3rd & 4th place play-off tie while the host, Portugal slug it out with the Netherland, both matches on coming Sunday.
Thank you for your time and support.
Comments