England start Euro 2024 with a win – but there was that familiar issue of losing control
Jude Bellingham wasn’t having it. “The first half shows why we can score goals against any team and the second half shows why we can keep a clean sheet against any team.” Bellingham said there was “always a negative theme” in terms of public and media reaction to England’s performances — “and sometimes rightly so” — but he preferred to accentuate the positive. Southgate put it down to a loss of energy among his team — “and that didn’t surprise me,” he said, “because of the lack of 90 minutes that a lot of the players have had recently.” A team’s opening game of a tournament can often be like that. “You look across the past few tournaments we’ve had and it’s always crucial to get the first win,” Trippier said afterwards. We’ve learned a lot today, but the most important thing is the three points.” Everyone who spoke afterwards — Southgate, Bellingham, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Kane — mentioned the character and resilience England had shown in the second half.
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