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England started their World Cup 12 months with a 2-1 pleasant victory over Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday because of Harry Kane’s late winner.
The Three Lions have been not at all spectacular, however Gareth Southgate will in all chance be content material as they received the job performed regardless of fielding a considerably unfamiliar beginning XI.
Nonetheless, Southgate could have anticipated extra from a primary half that Switzerland had by far the higher of, with Breel Embolo’s headed opener considered one of 9 pictures to England’s two.
However a fierce Luke Shaw hit proper earlier than the break had the hosts degree on the interval.
The hosts loved higher management within the second half and finally dealt the decisive blow by way of Kane’s penalty, his forty ninth worldwide strike, leaving him behind solely Wayne Rooney (53) for probably the most England objectives.
49 – Harry Kane has now scored 49 objectives for England (degree with Bobby Charlton), solely Wayne Rooney (53) has scored extra objectives for the Three Lions. Chief. pic.twitter.com/kFrk5gGFYH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 26, 2022
Victory appeared unlikely for some time, nonetheless. The Three Lions discovered themselves trailing after 22 minutes as Embolo nodded in from Xherdan Shaqiri’s right-wing cross.
It will have been 2-0 a couple of moments later have been it not for Jordan Pickford, whose sharp reflexes ensured Fabian Frei’s goal-bound effort was pushed onto the crossbar.
Ricardo Rodriguez’s long-range strike pressured Pickford into motion once more late within the half, earlier than Embolo scuffed the rebound huge.
England capitalised on these let-offs on the stroke of half-time when Shaw ran on to Conor Gallagher’s cut-back and smashed house from 20 yards.
Shortly after the restart, Kane’s tried lob from a decent angle got here again off goalkeeper Jonas Omlin’s face and debutant Marc Guehi’s glancing header on the ensuing nook flew agonisingly huge.
England’s perception grew because the half progressed and Kane made no mistake from the spot late on after Steven Zuber dealt with Guehi’s header contained in the field.
What does it imply? Unspectacular England reply after feeble first half
It was hardly a basic, however England did enhance markedly because the match went on.
Though Southgate’s males produced some neat soccer early on, there was little or no substance to it and so they hardly threatened in any respect earlier than Shaw’s equaliser.
They have been considerably higher after half-time, although, managing 4 pictures heading in the right direction to Switzerland’s zero. Whether or not the change in fortunes – for each groups – was brought on by mass substitutions or not is unclear, however it was notable how significantly better the Three Lions have been within the second interval.
Grealish brings the swagger
He was solely on for 28 minutes, however Jack Grealish appeared sharp throughout his cameo. England usually appeared tidier in assault with the Manchester Metropolis creator on the pitch, and his two key passes was a joint-team excessive regardless of him enjoying lower than a 3rd of the sport.
Questions requested of White
It needs to be mentioned that Ben White was solely beginning because of a late harm to John Stones within the warm-up, so any shakiness does include a caveat. Nonetheless, had it been Harry Maguire who had let Shaqiri’s cross fly over him for the opener, he would have obtained stinging criticism.
Key Opta Stats:
– England have gone unbeaten in every of their final 21 matches in all competitions (W17 D4), the outright longest ever unbeaten streak within the Three Lions’ historical past.
– Embolo’s opener was Switzerland’s first aim in opposition to England in 5 matches, since a Tranquillo Barnetta brace in 2011.
– England have solely misplaced considered one of their final 22 video games at Wembley (together with house/impartial), profitable 18 (D3) and by no means conceding greater than as soon as in any of these matches.
– Kane’s strike was the one centesimal penalty England have scored in all competitions (excluding shootouts).
– The Tottenham ahead has scored 14 of England’s 100 penalties (excluding shootouts), 5 greater than some other Three Lions participant (Frank Lampard, 9).
– England fielded three completely different Crystal Palace (Guehi, Gallagher, Tyrick Mitchell) gamers in a single match for the primary time since June 1991 vs New Zealand (Geoff Thomas, Ian Wright, John Salako).
What’s subsequent?
England host Ivory Coast on Tuesday, with Switzerland going through Kosovo earlier that day. Each groups will then have their eyes on subsequent Friday’s World Cup draw.
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