England didn’t get the send-off they have been hoping for forward of Euro 2024 as they misplaced 1-0 to Iceland at Wembley.
It was a inflexible and flat efficiency from the Three Lions, who registered only one shot on track at Wembley.
90,000 followers turned as much as wave the gamers off earlier than the event in Germany begins subsequent week however many can have left much less hopeful than after they arrived.
England are the bookies’ favourites to win the competitors this summer season having skilled heartbreak within the closing towards Italy three years in the past.
However they could have slipped down the order of many punters after their embarrassing defeat on residence soil.
It was a vivid begin from Gareth Southgate’s males, with Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer trying significantly harmful, however they have been undone on the counter by Iceland.
Full-time at @wembleystadium. pic.twitter.com/l66lOgFUd2
— England (@England) June 7, 2024
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson broke for the guests and obtained the higher of John Stones to fireplace in on the close to submit, leaving Aaron Ramsdale scrambling.
Harry Kane had an enormous probability to equalise however fluffed his strike and there have been no different actual large possibilities for the Three Lions.
It means they’ve saved simply two clear sheets in seven matches and opening Euro 2024 opponents Serbia will now be approaching the match with renewed hope that they will trigger an upset.
England will definitely must up the degrees if they’re going to get wherever close to the latter phases of the event.
The way it occurred
Because it was England’s closing warm-up recreation earlier than the Euros, the Wembley crowd have been expectant towards the Scandinavian guests.
It was a superb environment within the capital forward of kick-off however the gamers knew they have been going to face a check just like the one Bosnia and Herzegovina posed earlier within the week.
Iceland are notoriously resilient on the again however the Three Lions did trend just a few possibilities within the opening minutes via Gordon and Kane, however there was no finish product.
Representing our #ThreeLions for the final time earlier than #EURO2024. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/0QSuoKcW8G
— England (@England) June 7, 2024
The boldness was flowing on the pitch however it might be Iceland who struck the opening blow.
Thorsteinsson was being hassled by Stones within the field however managed to show and get a shot away.
His effort caught Ramsdale unexpectedly and the stadium was silenced as 90,000 followers watched the ball hit the again of the online.
Maybe the England backline and goalkeeper ought to have carried out higher however they’re going to discover themselves in moments like that on the Euros and should discover ways to cope with them within the moments that matter.
Southgate’s males practically had a fast response via Palmer, who had a shot that appeared destined for the purpose however was blocked.
half-hour in and the house facet had solely registered one shot on track and the frustrations on the pitch have been being mirrored within the stands, with the crowds now not singing and the band now not taking part in.
Summer season nights at Wembley 🤩 pic.twitter.com/dy9SEaqSAs
— England (@England) June 7, 2024
Captain Kane had a large probability to degree proceedings however failed.
The Bayern Munich man was fed by Palmer however skewed his effort extensive on the six-yard field, even the person himself was shocked that he didn’t rating.
Iceland had unsurprisingly sat in after going 1-0 up and except for the Kane probability, they have been limiting the Euro 2024 favourites, who have been struggling to interrupt them down.
Marc Guehi got here to the rescue of his nation and prevented extra embarrassment for England by blocking Arnor Traustason’s effort.
Boos rang out because the half-time whistle went and there have been actually phrases available within the dressing room after an uninspiring first half.
England took 4 minutes of the second half to show up the degrees.
Gordon fed Phil Foden, whose first-time try simply missed the body of the purpose.
The house of soccer.
📍 Wembley Stadium pic.twitter.com/6Htox5CHp1
— England (@England) June 7, 2024
Palmer then despatched a shot into the facet netting and some moments later he was in on purpose however didn’t around the goalkeeper and slot into an empty internet.
Loads of adjustments have been being made all through the second half, with the likes of Kane, Kyle Walker and Gordon being withdrawn and Bukayo Saka one of many contemporary faces to return on alongside Eberechi Eze.
Thorsteinsson then had one other promising probability for Iceland however he mistimed his shot in what actually was an enormous alternative for the guests to kill the sport.
Ramsdale then had some work to do as a looping Iceland effort dipping in below the bar, however the Arsenal stopper was in a position to push it over for a nook.
Getting into the final 10 minutes, England had nonetheless solely had one shot on track, it was actually not the efficiency many had hoped for forward of the event in Germany.
There have been just a few half-chances within the closing minutes, together with an effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold that crawled agonisingly extensive of the submit.
However Iceland held agency to report an enormous victory in London and dampen the temper within the England camp.
