The days go by and England are still as unfathomable. Announced as favourites, equipped with a host of stars, the “Three Lions” lost momentum and charm during the first round, which ended against Slovenia (0-0) under whistles and a few plastic cups thrown at the coach Gareth Southgate.
But a successful round of 16 against the Slovaks on Sunday (6pm) could bring back calm and pleasure just as quickly, winger Anthony Gordon believes. “If we perform at a high level in the next game, everything will change. That’s the good thing about football,” said the Newcastle striker, who has been a substitute for the first three games.
Even if he concedes that the frustration of the English public is proportional to the hopes placed in the team. “If we want this to stop, we just have to be good and give people what they want to see.”
For the moment, they have not seen much: only one victory against Serbia (1-0), a too limited game against Denmark (1-1) then Slovenia, and only two goals scored. Far, very far, from the limitless potential lent to the attacking quartet of holders: Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane, credited with 114 goals in total this season with their respective clubs. The midfield has not convinced either. Arsenal player Declan Rice has been associated in turn with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo, without much success.
The ghost of 2016
Opposite, Slovakia, 45e nation in the Fifa rankings, appears within reach of Southgate’s men. But the latter tend to show their limits when faced with “small” selections. Like at Euro 2016, when England stumbled against Iceland (2-1 defeat)… in the round of 16. “Those who think England’s side of the picture is favorable need a history lesson,” The Guardian newspaper observed on Friday. “Have people forgotten England’s record before Southgate at the Euro (no victory, no final and only two semi-finals, editor’s note), notably the defeat against Iceland in 2016? “.
Captain Harry Kane’s team, even without shining, finished top of their Group C. This allows them to avoid Germany, France, Spain and Portugal until the final on July 14 in Berlin, if they manage to do so. In the event of victory against Slovakia, England would face the winner of Switzerland-Italy in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they would face Austria, the Netherlands, Romania or Turkey. Not a walk in the park, however.
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