"Nothing sandwich" was the phrase that popped into my head. The Guardian had "non-event." It's remarkable how little happened. This is why I would have had used two big strikers--because England aren't going to be able to pass their way in...not after leaving their most incisive passer at home. Cross it in and hope Toney and Kane can create havoc. Not the prettiest approach, but...
The system definitely doesn’t suit him but he looks slow and sluggish which isn’t down to the tactics
Kane off for Watkins. He hasn't had a good tournament. Yes, the tactics haven't helped, but he's good enough and experienced enough to offer much more.
I've been critical of Spain in other games for going defensive after taking the lead. There's been none of that tonight.
Piss poor from Rice after Bellingham did well to keep possession under pressure. He just booted the ball away...but Bellingham would do better if he spent more time playing football and less time crying. Tbf, Shaw, who I thought would be the weak link owing to my prejudice against his un-greyhound like build, has been England's best defender. And no golden boot for Kane. He would have won another if he still played for Spurs. The player who for me has been utterly ineffectual has been Saka, rather than Kane. Kane had a shot which looked like it was going in the far corner but was blocked. I keep wishing Saka had a right foot and could take the ball deep and cut it back, but alas....very nice from Foden there, and not quite good enough from Bellingham. It pains me to admit it, but the most valuable player for England in this tournament has been Pickford. He still looks like that kid in seventh grade you couldn't stand. I was about to say Palmer on, good, but it should have been Saka off....but maybe it should have been ManU...nah, should have been Saka. England's defending was looking very shaky, and removing a DM made it noticeably shakier.
