The first international break of the 2023/24 season saw England travel to Poland for a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine, followed by a friendly in Glasgow against the Scottish.
England travelled to Wroclaw, Poland for the fifth match in their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 next summer in Germany. This match would normally be held within the borders of Ukraine as it was a designated “home” match for them, but sporting events of all kinds are not happening in Ukraine currently due to the ongoing war with Russia. As such, there is no set of players more bonded and motivated to play well right now than Ukraine. England found that out the hard way. The match was slow and tepid for the most part; certainly not one that will be remembered down the road. The Ukrainians struck first through Arsenal wingback Oleksandr Zinchenko, and England were slow to respond. They got an equalizer in the second half however, when an excellent aerial pass from Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane found the run of Manchester City right back Kyle Walker, who poked home from close range for his first ever England goal. The match finished 1-1, which was probably the deserved result given England’s slow and conservative play. Despite dropping points for the first time in the qualifying campaign, they still are top of Group C. They have a six point lead over 2nd place Italy, having played one more game. The result must improve in the next match, but the Three Lions are still in the drivers’ seat to win the group and qualify for next summer’s Euros.
The match against Scotland was a lot more entertaining and fun to watch, despite it being a friendly. The match took place in the cauldron of atmosphere known as Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. The match was held in commemoration of 150 years of football rivalry between England and Scotland. Indeed, the first ever international football match was played between these neighboring British Isles nations in 1873. It’s a fierce rivalry rooted in politics and nationalism, and you can always bet on both teams to play with intensity.
England were the better of the two sides for the opening 30 minutes by a considerable margin. They were all over Scotland, running at them and creating chances at a frenetic pace. They got the opening goal on 32 minutes from Man City midfielder Phil Foden, who redirected a fierce low cross/shot from Walker into the back of the net. Scotland keeper Angus Gunn couldn’t have done anything about it. A deserved goal and good technique from Foden, and he did especially well to be in the right place at the right time.
England doubled their advantage just three minutes later. A cross from the left hand side of the box was collected by Scotland and Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson, but in his attempt to clear the ball he mishit it and it fell to the feet of England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, in sensational form for club and country right now, was largely unmarked and he hit a low shot just to the right of Gunn, who was too slow to get a block in. It was a little bit of a tap-in, but Bellingham had also been involved in the first goal and many of England’s chances. I don’t think this country has seen a central midfielder like him for quite some time, maybe ever. He’s only 20 and starting regularly for both England and Real freaking Madrid, and he has proven himself to be a star player on both teams. He has immaculate technique on the ball for a guy his size, and he has the footballing intelligence and talent to play absolutely killer passes to the forwards. I am beyond happy that he is going to be playing for England for another 10-12 years at least.
At halftime it was 2-0, and with the match in hand for England, manager Gareth Southgate elected to rotate the team a little. One of the players he brought on was center back Harry Maguire, a much maligned figure both for England and Manchester United. Most fans have made it clear they don’t want him to play for England anymore, but he was brought on by Southgate nevertheless. Unfortunately, he was the reason Scotland earned themselves a goal on 67 minutes when he accidentally turned a cross from Robertson into his own net. England keeper Aaron Ramsdale likely had the cross covered had Maguire left the ball alone, but he stuck his leg out and turned it into an empty net. Now it’s true that Scotland were playing better after the break and likely deserved a goal, but it was a poor decision from Maguire to stick his leg out at a cross that was probably going to be collected by the keeper. Did Ramsdale owe him a shout? Did Ramsdale shout for it and did Maguire ignore him? Unclear, but the ball still went in and it was 2-1.
Fortunately, England were not done. Kane decided he wanted to make his mark on the match, and he did so on 81 minutes. Bellingham was still full of pace and vigor, and after he wriggled around some challenges near the Scotland penalty area, he found Kane with an excellent through ball. Kane took the ball with a light touch and finished with his left foot into the opposite corner. A really beautiful goal to watch. As long as we let Kane, Bellingham, Foden, and winger/forward Marcus Rashford play in attack, the Three Lions are going to score goals. It’s absolutely brilliant to watch when they are in rhythm. It was also the 59th England goal for Kane, who breaks his own record every time he scores. England’s greatest ever center forward? Probably!
England won 3-1, and while it doesn’t mean anything in terms of competition, it’s always nice to beat Scotland at Hampden Park. I was happy to see the England away fans sing about Maguire after the final whistle. His place in the team is definitely in danger due to his own form and the good form of Brighton & Hove Albion center back Lewis Dunk, but he doesn’t deserve the hatred he gets. He takes a lot of criticism on social media and in the traditional media, so some positive support was probably good for him. He did not play well today to be sure and he likely needs some time away from the spotlight, but it seems that United will still need to rely on him for a while due to the injuries to all the other center backs.
England are off until the next international break in October. They will play Australia at Wembley Stadium on October 13th in another friendly, then they have a massive Euro qualifier against Italy again at Wembley on October 17th. If we can beat Italy again, we are virtually guaranteed to win the group and qualify for Euro 2024!
Three Lions On the Shirts!
4-4-2 