FOR once they made some friends out there.
There was no hostility, no frustration, no threats to walk down Wembley Way, never to return.
England did not beat world champions Germany and they could not find a way to score past them. They did not have to. Sure, would have won it if substitute Jesse Lingard had hooked his effort into the net in the final few seconds of injury time. More important, this was the night when England’s players felt a whole lot of love from the country again. Everybody knows what would happened if Gareth Southgate’s side had been walloped 3-0 out there. The inquest into the future of English football would have lasted well beyond the game against those show-ponies Brazil on Tuesday.
Instead they held their own out against Germany, warming the cockles with a purposeful, confident, assured performance. England showed promise, with the dazzling performances of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and keeper Jordan Pickford to pick over. They both played their way into Gareth Southgate’s thinking here. It will not take much for Pickford, who decided he would be unbeatable from minute one, to dislodge Joe Hart as first pick. Southgate’s selection for Brazil on Tuesday will be telling.
Loftus-Cheek is certain to start, easing his way into this England side after a purposeful, striding performance from midfield. He nicked the man of the match award ahead of Pickford, but only just. Loftus-Cheek played like he belonged on the biggest stage, with his double nutmeg on Leroy Sane and Germany new-boy Marcel Halstenberg in the first half announcing his arrival. Beyond that he grew into the game.
The quiet man of the England squad, the man Southgate wants to have a bigger voice around the place, was the biggest noise. England’s coach will have to be more patient with Tammy Abraham, starting up front because of Harry Kane’s dodgy injury. Abraham, who had a decent chance to score in the first half, lasted 59 minutes before Southgate sent for Marcus Rashford. Still, two out of three is a decent return at international level.
England played on a level, growing in stature as this prestige Friday night friendly in front of a full-house wore on. Let’s not pretend Joachim Low’s side were playing at anything other than half-cock out there.
In tournament football, when they settle into their stride at the World Cup next summer, they will be formidable opposition.
Mesut Ozil, save for a majestic first half pass that slice England’s defence apart, Ilkay Gundogan and Julian Draxler went through the motions.
They held England at arm’s length, doing just enough to make sure that the could enjoy their Saturday afternoon sightseeing in London.
For once, England were here on business.
Loftus-Cheek was the influence, with his no-look pass through for Jamie Vardy to run on to at the end of the first half showing match-winning qualities.
Pickford, handed this start because of the injury to Jack Butland, offered security at the back.
From The Sun
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