England’s Euro 2021 campaign is up and running after the Three Lions nailed four points to the board. The win consisted of a convincing 1-0 victory over a veteran Croatia side and a goalless draw at Wembley in an absorbing Euro 2021 contest leaving Group D wide open.
England remains the joint-favorites in the football fixed odds markets to prevail at Euro 2021. With France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain all jostling for ascendency at the head of the pack.
Let’s take a look at what we have learned so far from England at Euro 2021.
Croatia Fail to Impress
The Three Lions was raring for revenge after Croatia dumped them out of an electric semi-final clash at the World Cup in 2018.
Many believed the crop of England players that honed their craft in 2018 was bringing the trophy home, but after an extra-time heartbreaking strike from Mario Mandzukic, it was not to be.
This time, England made a fine start to proceedings and created a myriad of good openings, the best saw Phil Foden strike hit the base of the post after some silky skills and firing with his left foot. It was ultimately Raheem Sterling’s one-goal deficit that concluded the game.
Scotland Stand Strong
The game was defined by full-backs for both teams with Luke Shaw and Reece James getting the nod over Trippier and Walker.
Shaw endured a tough start, with Stephen O’Donnell exposing valuable space early on. The Motherwell defender had a standout performance, bullying England’s back four.
Although Scotland set up with the intention of defending, it was anything but a defensive game plan with Scotland increasingly becoming a threat. England struggled to contain Che Adams and sharing the spoils seemed to be the fairest result.
Trippier or Luke Shaw on the Left?
Eyebrows were raised when Tripper got the nod to play against Croatia over Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw with Jadon Sancho watching from the sidelines.
The Atletico Madrid man had several positive moments throughout the Croatia game.
Luke Shaw was drafted in for the Scotland game over Trippier. The Manchester United left-back had a rocky start to the contest barely containing a resilient Stephen O’Donnell down the left flank.
The mixed performances for the hosts’ full-backs means Southgate now has a decision to make against the Czech Republic.
Anonymous Kane
Harry Kane had a truly wonderful 2018 World Cup, from winning the Golden Boot in Russia to barely noticeable in the Croatia game. Spurs talisman Kane was marginalized throughout, managing just 26 touches of the ball before being subbed in the final eight minutes.
Kane continued his slow start to Euro 2021, cutting a lethargic figure as the Three Lions failed to impress against the bottom of the group Scotland. Kane seems to be a shadow of his former self and his lack of involvement again in the Scotland game will signal some red flags for Southgate.
Coming out after the break didn’t start much better, the Tottenham talisman lacked speed and was transparently frustrated. Ultimately Southgate’s gleaming jewel was out of sorts and with his substitution with 16 minutes remaining was long overdue.
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Kane has only had six touches in the opposition’s penalty area this tournament and unless Kane snaps out of his dry spell, England’s chances this summer will fizzle out.
Stand Out Players
Kalvin Phillips was phenomenal and many questioned Southgate’s footballing logic for the choice of starting the Leeds midfielder against Croatia. He committed a few fouls, but most of these were of ‘tactical’ variety. While on the ball he was progressive, adventurous when possible, and claimed a well-earned assist.
A word for Tyrone Mings leading the line at the back, he might not have been the first-choice starter for many, but he didn’t put a foot wrong and made some fantastic decisions in the first half of the Croatia game.
Super Subs
England has a plethora of attacking talent rotting on the England bench and Southgate continues to ignore the aptitude of fresh feet he has on offer. Jack Grealish came on after 63 minutes of the Scotland game, replacing Foden, and instantly had an impact.
Jadon Sancho is a player who has not had a sniff at the ball yet and has had an impressive season for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
Dominic Calvert- Lewin and Marcus Rashford are two players who might be on Southgate’s radar after the stale England performance against Scotland.
