Ahead of a last-16 tie which may well define this generation of England players, The Torch at Wembley was given a makeover. “Southgate’s revenge” read the exterior.
The superstition surrounding the Torch, on FA Cup final day, is that whichever set of fans is designated that particular pub wins the match. Perhaps that is an unfair twist of fate in this most unusual of European Championships, but fate has not always been kind to the Three Lions.
There is something about this generation of players which seemingly dispenses with history – and never before had any nation beaten Germany in a Euros knockout tie before the semi-finals.
Yet Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane’s goals saw England into the last eight, where they will play Sweden or Ukraine.
Here are i‘s player ratings from Wembley Stadium.
England player ratings
Pickford 8/10
The stopper made two pivotal saves, firstly from Timo Werner with both feet, and then with his fingertips to keep out Kai Havertz from distance to keep the scores level.
Walker 7/10
Composed in the six-yard box with some vital clearances, he showed incredible pace late on even when England were 2-0 up.
Stones 7/10
Showed Werner onto his wrong side and was steady throughout.
Maguire 7/10
Booked for a foul on Joshua Kimmich, but generally a calming influence and contributed with his forward passes.
Trippier 6/10
The only player to start who didn’t feature against Czech Republic. His afternoon was overshadowed by a hip injury.
Phillips 6/10
It’s rarely fireworks, but Phillips did enough defensively and in England’s transitions to merit Southgate’s faith in him.
Rice 6/10
It was a shaky start as he gave away a free-kick when caught short by Leon Goretzka. He blocked the subsequent free-kick, however, and improved as England defended the lead.
Shaw 7/10
The assist for Sterling goal was the highlight, but he was constantly key to England’s pressing.
Saka 7/10
Effervescent in the first half but tailed off a little in the second.
Kane 5/10
It was a real struggle, in truth and he rarely touched the ball in the first half – but he finally has his goal. Onwards and upwards.
Sterling 8/10
“It really is time to start putting some respect on Raheem Sterling’s name in an England shirt,” Jermaine Jenas fizzed. A third Euros goal and there was just one heart-in-mouth moment when he gave the ball away and allowed Thomas Muller through on goal. His pressing was sensational and Jenas is quite right. It was his 15th goal in his last 20 internationals – time to give Sterling a little more respect.
Substitutes
Jack Grealish 7/10
Who’s have thought?! The pre-assist to Shaw, the assist for Kane. Grealish is some player and as difficult as it can be to squeeze him into this XI, it’s where he belongs.
Jordan Henderson N/A
Only came on with 88 minutes on the clock. It will be hard for him to break into this midfield.
More from i on Euro 2020
- England aren’t ‘rubbish’ and Southgate isn’t a ‘fraud’ – we just need a bit of patience
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3jwZkCR
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