Last Sunday, England rounded off a tremendous 2018 by beating Croatia 2-1. This meant that they qualified for the Nations League finals in Portugal. It was a year of just three defeats for Southgate’s men. From jubilation in Amsterdam, heartbreak in Moscow and triumph in Seville, it was a brilliant year for the Three Lions.
England’s Year
March
As like any previous World Cup, expectation was low going into it. A manager no-one really wanted and disinterest in the side altogether. Fast-forward and it is a complete contrast.
England started their World Cup preparations in March with two friendlies: one in Amsterdam against Holland and one at Wembley against Italy, two former giants of the international scene who had failed to qualify for the World Cup. Nevertheless, the Three Lions started 2018 with a win a 1-0 win over the Dutch. A Jesse Lingard strike from the edge of the box was enough for England to go home victorious.
The positivity was halted as England drew 1-1 at home to Italy. Gli Azzurri arrived in England in disarray after failing to qualify for the World Cup. Gareth Southgate made five changes to the side that started against Holland. One of them paid off, as Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for England. It was three minutes before the end of the game when Italy were awarded a controversial penalty through VAR. It was subsequently scored and missed opportunities were rued.
Final Games Before The World Cup
England faced Nigeria and Costa Rica in their final two games before travelling to Russia. Southgate wanted his team to be “exposed to different styles” as they face African and Central American opposition in the group stage of the World Cup.
England triumphed over Nigeria, winning 2-1 at Wembley. The Three Lions dominated large parts of the game and were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane. Nigeria scored early in the second half through Alex Iwobi. However, England held on and confidence was boosted yet again.
They then moved onto Elland Road to finish their World Cup preparations before flying to Russia. They faced Costa Rica, who proved tough opposition four years earlier in Brazil. A 0-0 draw sent Roy Hodgson’s side out at the group stages of the 2014 World Cup. A stunning Marcus Rashford strike opened the scoring for England, lobbing keeper Keylor Navas to put England ahead. It wasn’t until late in the second half that England got their second. Danny Welbeck headed in from a cross into an empty net to send England to Russia glowing in confidence.
England’s World Cup
Very little needs to be said on the World Cup. England started in Volgograd against Tunisia. With it being 1-1 and ruing missed chances, it looked likely that they would be taking only a point from their first game. Up stepped Harry Kane at the back post in the final moments of the game to head in for the win.
England qualified with an emphatic 6-1 against Panama. A hat-trick from Kane and two goals from John Stones were the highlights in Nizhny Novgorod. The group stage was then rounded off with a 1-0 defeat to Belgium. Both sides made a number of changes in a game that meant very little.
Southgate’s side proceeded to the knockouts where confidence was high. They squared off against Colombia in the Round of 16 in Moscow. A Harry Kane penalty put England before fans suffered late heartbreak when Colombia equalised in the 93rd minute. A nerve-jangling extra-time period occurred but they could not find a way through. Penalties it was. As Jordan Henderson missed, many England fans thought another Round of 16 exit was on the cards. However, Colombia missed their following two penalties, leaving the pressure on Eric Dier to win the game for England. He scored and sent England into even more pandemonium. The Three Lions then breezed through their quarter-final tie against Sweden, comfortably winning 2-0. Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli sent England into the semi-finals.
However, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Three Lions. They bowed in the semi-finals with a 2-1 defeat in extra time to Croatia. Another defeat followed in the third-place play-off tie against group rivals Belgium. England fans were not fussed at the result as they were still proud of the achievements that their side had made.
New Competition, New Beginning
A new competition and a new beginning for the Three Lions. The Nations League was unknown territory and confused many fans – and even Harry Maguire. Nonetheless, they started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat at home to Spain. England took the lead through Marcus Rashford in the 11th minute, before Spain equalised two minutes later. Spain won the game through a Rodrigo goal in the 32nd minute. Three defeats in a row, maybe Southgate wasn’t the one? A dull 1-0 win over Switzerland followed, where once again Marcus Rashford was the man of the moment.
Back to the Nations League in October, with trips to Croatia and Spain on the agenda. A 0-0 draw was the outcome in Croatia, where the game was more memorable for being played in front of a crowd of zero. The game against Spain was more historic, as England ended Spain’s 38 game unbeaten run at home, which stretched 15 years. Southgate’s men shocked the Seville crowd as they were 3-0 up at half-time. They withheld Spain’s pressure as they won the game 3-2. A historic win.
The final round of games occurred last week. Southgate’s side breezed through the first game, a 3-0 win over the USA at Wembley. Callum Wilson marked his debut with a goal and Jadon Sancho impressed on his first start at Wembley.
They then secured their place in the Nations League semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Croatia. The visitors took the lead, before two late goals courtesy of Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane won them the game.
The Future?
2019 is set to be promising as England go to Portugal for the Nations League finals. Southgate will continue to develop young players, and continuing to reignite the interest in England.
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