Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford’s cool penalty in the sixty-eighth minute ensured England would win their final game before Euro 2020. The forward was also the England captain on the night. The game unfortunately also had one huge negative as a portion of the audience booed the players as they took the knee.
Far From Exciting England:
It was a pretty mixed performance from The Three Lions, as they struggled to break down a tough Romania side. One player however, that did star was Jack Grealish. The Aston Villa captain looked lethal and made a serious case for a starting position against Croatia in England’s first game at Euro 2020. It was also a foul on him that led to Rashford’s penalty, and the only goal of the game.
Meanwhile, the remaining players failed to really stake their claims as guaranteed starters going forward. However, whether this will worry Southgate is up for debate with four of the players who got game-time not selected for his Euro 2020 squad. There was also the benefit of the team surviving without any further injuries after losing Trent Alexander-Arnold through injury on Wednesday.
Rashford’s penalty though excellently taken was not the only one of the game. Substitute Jordan Henderson had the chance to double the lead, whilst also scoring his first-ever goal for England after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fouled in the box. Unfortunately despite a healthy amount of power, the penalty was saved by Romania’s keeper Florin Nita.
How Does This Bode For Euro 2020?
As aforementioned Southgate will have a bit of a selection headache come the first game of Euro 2020. Not only did Jack Grealish excel, so too did James Ward-Prowse. The question then emerges, will JWP be the man to replace Alexander-Arnold in Southgate’s squad after the latter picked up an injury.
And even greater is how England now have amounted a six-match consecutive win streak alongside this, England have conceded just the one goal in those six matches.
The long and the short of it is there are plenty of positives for fans of The Three Lions to take ahead of Euro 2020. Sun’s out, the boys are in form and it’s coming home! You’ve got to believe it’s possible!
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Cover Photo (Photo by Lee Smith – Pool/Getty Images)
