As of the time of writing, the Three Lions are due to play Senegal in their bid to reach the quarter finals of this year’s competition. So, at the half-way stage of the tournament, we look at what has gone well for Southgate’s men, and just how far they can go in this year's world cup.
Group Stage Review
Kicking off their world cup campaign, England’s performance against Iran was exactly what they needed; a statement win. With pressure building after a bitterly disappointing Nations League campaign this past summer, it seemed vital that England came out firing on all cylinders, pressing high and creating chances, something they all but failed to do in the summer. With a resounding 6-2-win Southgate’s men did just that and seemed to have all the momentum going into their second game, a clash against an American side who had failed to capitalise on their chances against Wales in their respective opening match.
With Southgate naming the same starting eleven against the US as Iran, there seemed to be no doubt the team that had netted six goals not four days earlier would be able to create goal scoring opportunities. Yet Southgate’s men managed a meagre three shots on target throughout the 90 minutes, and for the much of the game were played off the pitch by a young, hungry, and energetic American side. With options such as Phil Foden remaining on the bench in a match which was screaming for his off-ball movement and creativity, it took only 180 minutes of football before the cracks started to appear for England, and for Southgate to find himself once again in the firing line.
However, barring a four-goal defeat to Wales in their final game, England had done enough to secure qualification to the knockout stages, likely as group winners. In a game that saw Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden brought into the starting eleven, England came alive in the second half, beating Wales 3-0 with both Manchester boys getting their names on the scoresheet.
So, with another statement win over Wales, England seem to have found form at just the right time. While the game against the US could have been seen as a cause for concern, Southgate undoubtedly responded in the next, invertedly giving himself a selection headache for the tie against Senegal. While fans had hoped for the Three Lions to be topping the group with all nine points, it is difficult to criticise the team or the manager for what can only be considered a very successful group stage.
Knockout Stages
With England set to play Senegal in the round of 16, Southgate’s men are sure to be heading into the clash as favourites. Without Bayern Munich star Sadio Mané, Senegal have not only lost their leader and captain, but their identity too. With Senegal’s system running through Mané in the entirety of their AFCON campaign, seeing them return with the trophy, many tipped Ecuador to be group runners-up to the Netherlands over the Mané-less Senegal. However, when facing off against an England team with as much quality and experience as any in this tournament, it’s difficult to see any other outcome than an England win, seeing the Three Lions advance to the quarter finals.
In a quarter final that could potentially see England face off against defending world-cup champions France, many see England bowing out of the tournament at this stage, with Les Bleus’ quality and depth being too strong to overcome. However, if the Three Lions can overcome France in what would surely be one of the best games of the tournament, there would be no reason for Southgate’s men not to believe they could make the final and bring football home. History has shown that finals never quite happen the way people foresee, and in one-off games miracles can happen; it is Christmas after all. So, only time will tell; can the Three Lions give an entire nation the gift of a lifetime, and will football come home for Christmas?
