One thing this tournament has shown us is that anyone can beat anybody. Spain aren't worrying about us, they're worrying about Switzerland, and Italy and Belgium are worrying about each other!
Google translate of the Corriere Dello Sport report
"Sterling and Kane make history at Wembley. England flies to the quarterfinals in Rome by eliminating Germany. The final 2-0 is the result of two goals arrived in the second half at the end of a balanced game but in the end addressed by the flashes of the two offensive phenomena of Southgate . For Loew's Germany (in the last act of his long career in the national team) it is a bitter elimination, which came at the end of a match that the Germans have never given the impression of being able to win, except for a couple of occasions. failed by Werner in the first half and a colossal one by Muller in closing. Germany pays for the too many goals conceded in this event (six!) And the lack of achievement of its strikers. Quite the opposite of England who keeps their goal clean (what a Pickford match!) And still finds a victory thanks to the cues of his guns Sterling and Kane (his first roar at these Europeans). Now Southgate awaits the winner between Sweden and Ukraine . It will be played next Saturday in Rome at 9 pm."
Heat and humidity are a problem if you can't keep hold of the ball and end up having to chase for 60-70% of the match and if your only attacking gameplan is up and at 'em high tempo 'passion' on the odd occasion you do have the ball which is unsustainable for 90 minutes.
Hence the usual pattern of England tourno exits of falling back deeper and deeper and getting less and less possession as the match progresses.
Whatever our faults, we are genuinely smarter and more technically proficient than most previous England teams who always got burnt in summer tournaments because of the above. I think possession stats were pretty even last night and I'd expect us to have more vs Ukraine.
Ah, the beautiful game, remember that? Let's put down some jumpers and have a socially-distanced kickabout. Long shots only, and no hugging and kissing.
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DraftEveryone: a US sports wire
Feb 2025