England has started its European Championship campaign with a great win. Against a mediocre Croatia it won 1-0 after a goal by Raheem Sterilng. Croatia made little progress and could do anything but convince. England was especially impressed in the opening quarter. Logically, England is the first leader in the group, where Scotland will face the Czech Republic tomorrow
With England – Croatia, we got a replay of the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in the first game of Group D. The Croats then shattered the ‘It’s coming home’ dream of the English, giving the duel between the two favorites of this group some extra pigment. With the English national coach Gareth Southgate surprised with his starting eleven. With Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw, he has two renowned left backs, but with Kieran Trippier he opted for a right back on the left. Chilwell wasn’t even sitting on the couch. Also absent was captain Harry Maguire. The defender of Manchester United was not considered fit enough. For the Croats, Kramaric was preferred to Petkovic.
Dirigent Phillips
The home side impressed in the opening phase and also created the first goal danger. After a quick switch, Foden broke free, but his blast shattered on the inside of the post. The English were loose and immediately afterwards Livakovic also had to flatten on a shot by Phillips. The acclaimed Croatian midfield trio Modric-Brozovic-Kovacic was not involved in the opening quarter. The pace then dropped slightly, but the English still sting regularly. Directed by a strong Phillips and an industrious Sterling, it remained dominant. It should be clear, this Croatia is not the Croatia that became vice world champion three years ago. Croatian danger had to wait until minute 27, but Ivan Perisic completely missed his volley.
It was the start of a better period for the Croats, although that was more because England took the foot off the accelerator. Not that Croatia became dangerous, although there was balance in the game again. With halftime in sight, however, the pace completely disappeared and the second half initially did not improve. Certainly not with the English, where especially Harry Kane underperformed. The Croats, on the other hand, took more initiative, but were unable to play football together.
Sterling breaks the spell
Just before the hour, the English fans in Wembley had reason to celebrate. Kalvin Phillips with the excellent infiltration and cross through the center, Sterling with the clinical finish. England ahead. It was the signal for the English to – finally – shift up a gear again, because a little later England was there again. Mount looked for Kane at the far post, but he couldn’t finish. A free kick from Mount also went just over. Although the English soon had enough of all that attacking, because after that there were no offensive intentions. It mainly focused on maintaining the lead. The Croats came under pressure, but placed very little on the match. Where three years ago it was still running on a battering ram with Mario Manduzkic, now it was mainly anemia. There was hardly even a final offensive. The English held out easily.
England have successfully overcome their first, and on paper the most difficult, hurdle of this group stage. On Tuesday, it can secure the next round in the neighbor game against Scotland. For Croatia there will be a little more pressure in the next two games.
Man of the Match Raheem Sterling: “Great that it worked”
UEFA chose Raheem Sterling as Man of the Match. He was of course pleased afterwards. “I’ve always said that if I could ever play a big tournament match at Wembley, in my backyard, I would score,” he said in the flash interview in front of the BBC’s microphone. “And it worked. Fantastic. There are several reasons why I have had a harder time scoring for my club this season. But I’m with England now. I enjoy playing and I am happy with my goal. Did I justify my selection in this way? I tried anyway (smiling).”
“It’s fantastic to start the tournament with a win. Now we have to look forward to the other games. It was a long season, but I couldn’t wait to start this European Championship with England. I knew we would get off to a good start today. We played well and this gives us a lot of confidence.”
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