The Nations League campaign seemed to turn into a headache for Gareth Southgate and England. The idea had been to show a response to Saturday’s 1-0 defeat in Hungary, but England had fallen behind until Jonas Hofmann’s goal early in the second half and had only shot in fits and starts.
And yet they found a way back, the last 20 minutes felt like a golden period for them, the opportunities increased in volume and clarity. The frustration would have been intense, the questions abundant, if another tie had been released.
But Harry Kane, who else? – I was not in the mood for introspective inquiry. Manuel Neuer had denied it when England tightened the screw late and, with time almost up, faded from Nico Schlotterbeck inside the area to provoke a clumsy challenge from central Germany.
He went to VAR and, after a long delay, it was decided that Schlotterbeck’s contact had caused Kane to lose his balance. Kane scored the penalty, marking his 50th England goal, three shy of Wayne Rooney’s record and might even have snatched a late winner only to miss a side foot. England was more than happy with the point.
Southgate had made no secret of his frustration at the result in Hungary. “The reality is that it’s a loss we shouldn’t have had,” he said, choosing a strong line-up here – arguably the strongest available – for a game that felt more charged and worthwhile in terms of World Cup build-up than any game. other. this season.
Germany went on a ten-match unbeaten run under Hansi Flick and Southgate knew what to expect: shadows of Bayern Munich, whom Flick had managed last season; a lot of technique and aggressiveness.
Southgate started with Kieran Trippier on the left of a four-man defence, Bukayo Saka on the right wing and Mason Mount in No.10. There would also be an early adjustment when Kalvin Phillips was forced off after a run-in with Lukas Klostermann. Jude Bellingham entered.
There were a few nervous moments from England early on, none more so than when Antonio Rüdiger assisted in a Joshua Kimmich corner that Trippier had conceded for little money. Kyle Walker would take the ball from Thomas Müller at the far post, a crucial intervention.
Germany looked dangerous from set pieces and cast a shadow over the first half. Jamal Musiala, the former England Under-21 midfielder, was about to take a cross from Kai Havertz when earlier he had felt Declan Rice, who excelled in midfield, handle a shot from him in the box.
Musiala brought the threat from Germany’s left, his fingers flashing to the eye, and came close on two more occasions before the interval, seeing an effort blocked by Harry Maguire and cutting straight into Jordan Pickford after a free kick had been taken. worked for him.
There was also a break for England in the 23rd minute when Hofmann ran into a long ball from Schlotterbeck to finish, while Maguire, England’s last man, battled Havertz at the midway point. Hofmann was penalized for marginal offside. It was a concern to see how Maguire was exposed positionally.
The traveling English fans officially numbered 3,466 inside the stadium, but there were many more and they made themselves heard. His team had chances in the first half and it was an irritation that none of them were taken.
Raheem Sterling had opened up a seam of space inside the box earlier in the race, only to be sent off and Kane raised high after Maguire climbed into a Trippier corner. In the eight minutes of first-half stoppage time, Saka worked Neuer on his first post after a quick counterattack as he sent a curler just past the other vertical.
It was a great opportunity for Bellingham in the country where he plays his club football with Borussia Dortmund and he had good moments in the final third and stretching to win his tackles.
It was strange that the first half ended goalless given the number of chances and the way both defenses did not look confident. But the deadlock did not last after England’s back line cracked.
Germany’s preparation had been long and patient, but Kimmich suddenly sped it up with the killer pass, tossing it to Hofmann, who had tiptoed into the space inside the box. John Stones couldn’t cross in time and Hofmann’s shot hit hard. However, the way he walked past Pickford was a concern. His hands weren’t in position, he raised one of them and saw that it offered no resistance.
Mount blinked as England tried to respond, extending Neuer with a rough shot after Bellingham had won the ball and saw another try blocked. Pickford fended off Müller after a David Raum cross, but it was England, with Jack Grealish in place of Mount, who pushed for the equalizer. Maguire nearly scored with a looping header, Kane was thwarted by Neuer’s legs and the substitute. Jarrod Bowen was close. Kane wouldn’t refuse.
Reference-www.theguardian.com