With the World Cup just around the corner we assess England's recent performances and their chances at Russia
What we learned from England vs Nigeria
England dominated this game in the first half and Nigeria seemed totally out of it during this spell with Gary Cahill, marking his return with a goal, and Harry Kane getting on the scoresheet. It was a Kieron Trippier corner that led to Cahill’s bullet header and England looked to be a real threat from set pieces all evening with both full backs taking these. Trippier especially, with an assist to his name, looked threatening on freekicks and came close on a couple of occasions. Kane also proved his worth with a well hit strike finding the back of the net after 39 minutes, even if the keeper should have done better. That was Kane's 8th in his last 7 for England and the captain could really prove pivotal for England at Russia. In addition to this England showed defensive resilience to match their attacking flare with Pickford barely even seeing a sight of the ball. It was a first half which will help to give England that belief they need going into the world cup.
Football however is a game of two halves and unfortunately the second half was slightly disheartening. Sterling, who was in the spotlight already due to his late arrival to the squad and tatoo, picked up a cheap yellow card for diving in the second half which, when there will be VAR informed at the world cup, is a blissfully pointless thing to do. Another negative is that England seemed asleep early on into the second half and gave away a cheap goal with just two minutes gone. Alex Iwobi finished well but you had to expect England to start the second half as they meant to go on and it was not what any England fan would have wanted to see. However, to look on with a positive outlook, England bounced back well and were able to close the game out well despite just having that slender 1 goal advantage.
England put in an assured performance but there should have been more that the one goal in it.
England XI – Pickford, Walker, Stones, Cahill, Dier, Trippier, Lingard (Loftus Cheek 67’), Alli (Delph 82’), Young (Rose 68’), Kane (Welbeck 73’), Sterling (Rashford 73’)
What we Learned from England vs Costa Rica
First things first: is this how England are going to be playing their games in the future? At football venues across the country such as this one at Elland road. If Fulham do indeed buy Wembley this could well be England’s way of playing international matches in the future.
Anyway, England came up against arguably weaker opposition in Costa Rica and played a proportionally weaker side with Southgate making 10 changes here. It was however an assured performance from England and one that looked never in doubt. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck were enough to see this game out.
This was not Jamie Vardy’s day as he struggled to lead the line and missed a great chance from 6 yards in the first half when Navas managed to smother him and close the angle. There is a clear reason as to why it did not work out for him and that reason is that England were on top. Jamie Vardy thrives of counter attacking football and long balls that he can chase after. When England are on top and constantly on the attack there are less spaces for him to exploit and his lightning pace is not so effective. The fact that he missed a sitter made it harder to take for Vardy who struggled all game. Vardy is probably better saved for the bigger games where England will be second best and the long ball can be used to exploit his pace in behind the opposition lines.
But at the same time this was alternatively good day for a whole host of names. Trent Alexander Arnold made his England debut and was very impressive throughout putting some killer balls into the box. Danny Welbeck proved many people wrong turning in Dele Alli’s cross come shot. Many thought he should not even be in the squad but he could prove to be a very effective impact substitute in Russia. But most of all it was a good day for Marcus Rashford who took on players with ease and his early 30 yard strike which flew into the top corner was a highlight of a near perfect day for the Manchester United forward. Rashford especially, amongst others, has put forward a very good case for a starting spot at the world cup.
It was an assured performance from England and a clean sheet with the combined effort of Pope and Butland will also give Southgate further confidence. It was a brilliant way for England to sign off before the world cup
England XI – Butland (Pope 65’), Jones, Stones (Cahill 65’), Maguire, Henderson (Alli 64’), Alexander-Arnold (Trippier 64’), Loftus-Cheek (Lingard 79’), Delph, Rose, Vardy (Welbeck 61’), Rashford
So… England’s Chances at Russia
Southgate has headaches with who to pick which shows the brilliant case that each and every player has put forward. England once more have a good squad; maybe it’s not quite good enough to win, but having said that, getting out of the group stage is almost definitely going to happen this year around (touch wood). England have appeared to have bonded well and as shown with Leicester, this alone can take you much further that you could ever imagine and with someone like Harry Kane leading the line, a world class player in top form, anything can happen. Let’s remember, after all, this is football and this is a world stage. Will England step up? We will have to just wait and see.
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