Half a century of hurt finally over

England 2 v Germany 0

The last time England beat Germany in the knock-out stages of a major tournament I was 6 years of age. I am now edging towards 62. Just reading those words again makes the enormity of what England achieved this evening, all the more remarkable. And not merely because the national side finally removed an incredibly heavy monkey from its back but also because of the manner of its execution which smacked of Italy in their hard to beat pomp. England don’t play like this.

In the wake of England’s group qualification the general consensus was that if the side was to progress any further in the tournament they had to embrace a far more enterprising persona. One of the two holding midfielders had to be replaced with a far more creative force of which England possess an abundance. Yet when the team was announced my heart sank. Rather than stick with the side that had started against the Czech Republic, Manager Southgate had become even more cautious, selecting seven defensive minded outfield players and only three with attack in their dna.

It did not excite and as the game entered its final third it looked for all the world that stalemate loomed. Please not extra time and the lottery of penalties. And then in minute 75 Raheem Sterling picked up the ball just inside his own half, turned and ran at the German defence. I am not his biggest fan but he had worked tirelessly and with intent all evening and as his run reached the D he fed Harry Kane who in turn passed to the recently introduced Jack Grealish. The Aston Villa imp delivered a perfect pass for Luke Shaw whose first-time cross picked out Sterling, still advancing on goal, to side foot home.

Minutes later Sterling went from hero to villain as a poorly directed pass was swept via Havertz to Thomas Muller. One on one with Jordan Pickford somewhat remarkably England’s nemesis pulled his attempt wide. The luck that has so often eluded England held. Five minutes later Grealish was again involved this time his own cross being turned in via the head of Kane. And in so doing England found themselves in unknown territory. In total control of affairs with a two-goal cushion against of all teams Germany. It’s the kind of thing that never happens. Yet here it was happening.

And for that we must praise Gareth Southgate. Ignoring the clarion call for free flowing football was a brave decision. For had his charges lost he would have been vilified. But he won and hard to beat England march on.

©Mark Brennand

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