Match report: England 1 Croatia 0
Wembley
I know this isn’t a Spurs game, but we’ve got Kane in the team, and we all support our country, so here goes…
I must be honest, I am no a fan of Gareth Southgate, and I certainly wouldn’t want him managing Spurs, and I can’t see us going to the final, however, I do hope I am wrong and that Southgate goes on and wins it for us. Nevertheless, if he does go on and win it, I still don’t want him to be our manager. Besides, according to the press, Southgate is his own man, which wouldn’t be any good for Levy. Somebody who can think for themselves and challenge wouldn’t stay in Levy’s good books for very long.
I must admit I wasn’t that impressed at the beginning of the game, but we seemed to get into it, and we deserved our 1-0 victory. As opening games go, we did enough.
Our Euro 2020 campaign got off to a winning start as Raheem Sterling’s goal secured victory for us at Wembley. Sterling slid in the winner after 57 minutes following a perfect pass from man-of-the-match Kalvin Phillips.
We almost took an early lead when Phil Foden struck the post. Still, there were the first signs of irritation from the England supporters at Wembley just as Sterling made his first goal in a major tournament. Jordan Pickford was barely tested in goal by an inadequate Croatia side. They never looked like echoing their victory over us in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow.
This was Phillips’ first game in a major tournament, one in which he was central to Southgate’s system alongside Declan Rice. He was often regarded as a holding midfield player in his early days, but under the tutelage of manager Marco Bielsa at Leeds, he is now so much more, to the benefit of his team and England. Because of this performance, I am sure he will start for England against Scotland.
Kane
As for Kane, our only Spurs player in the squad, he had a quiet game, but he did miss a sitter and went off about 10 minutes before the end—no doubt resting him for more important things head. He also collided with the goal post, but after a few minutes rest, he got up and resumed play. I am sure Kane will score before the tournament is over.
My thoughts; we subdue disappointing Croatia
Croatia came to our national stadium buoyed with confidence, believing that they could do to us what they did in Moscow three years ago.
Croatia arrived at Wembley with confidence bolstered by their record of significant wins over England in the past, most notably that World Cup semi-final triumph in 2018. But they looked a shadow of the talented side that performed so well in Russia. Saying all that, Croatia still have that great midfield exploiter Luka Modric, but sadly for him, excellent for us, the quality around him was in short supply.
I did predict we would win 2-1 before the game, sadly it wasn’t so, but, nevertheless, we won. And that is what the team is there for.
Stats
Another positive, we won our opening game of a European Championship finals at our 10th attempt (D5, L4).
Croatia have lost eight of their 14 games in all competitions since the start of 2020 (W4 D2); before this, they had lost just eight of their previous 33 matches (W17 D8).
England have won seven consecutive matches across all competitions for the first time since March 2015 under Roy Hodgson.
Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in 19 goals in his last 17 appearances for England (13 goals, six assists)
Jude Bellingham (17 years and 349 days) became the youngest player in the European Championship finals for any nation and the youngest English player to play in any major tournament (World Cup & Euros).
So, what is next for us?
We host Scotland at Wembley on Friday, 18 June (20:00 BST). I can’t wait. Even though I have my doubts, as I said, my fingers will still be crossed for us.
Spurs
COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books, Spurs handbooks, Spurs programmes etc.
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
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