[ad_1]
He comes home. Although rather slowly, and probably via a corner. On a dismal day on the banks of the Volga, England has taken another unstoppable step into the weird fantasy world that they seem to have created for us. A universe where millennial Republicans run unceremoniously "God Save the Queen" in pubs. Where Kieran Trippier is a legitimate shoo-in for the FIFA Fifa team of the tournament. Where a burning sun beats on desolate and zombie streets. Where to reach a semi-final World Cup seems to be the most natural thing in the world.
While England was playing the last few minutes here, against a dazzled Swedish side and paralyzed by an extreme and mundane skill performance, an unknown sensation began to take shape in the lowlands of our guts. You could call it, for lack of a better word, fun. The Colombian game was too tense to be nice; Harry Kane's winning goal against Tunisia too sudden and ephemeral; the trouncing of Panama too easy and free. But a well deserved walk in the last four against an opponent who had promised only one afternoon of pain? Yes, that one, we could savor.
It could be said that the players of England liked it too. Jesse Lingard rolled his foot on the balloon as he was going to take him home later. Jordan Henderson wore a look of pure and liquid satisfaction as he left for Eric Dier five minutes from the end. Even Gareth Southgate, a serious and professional man, allowed himself a short and broad smile full time before returning to his Caring, Serious Face default: make sure his replacements are all happy, sympathetic with the Swedes, picking up his litter, renewing his help. direct debit, that kind of thing.
But then, there was really nothing new in it all. You could see it before the kickoff, too: Lingard and John Stones were laughing and joking in the tunnel waiting to get out. Jordan Pickford, standing there with a smile as wide as the Volga, the stupid big beast of a guy who managed to press the fast forward button of life, and found himself playing for the # 39, England in a quarterfinal of the World Cup
Since England arrived in Russia, they have released the unmistakable smell of a team enjoying the biggest party of the World Cup. boys. Although, sometimes, a slightly surrealistic holiday in which alcohol is strictly restricted, Colombians impose nails and shoulders on them and they are sometimes forced to play darts with middle-aged reporters. Most of the time, however, the Club 20-18 rate is pretty standard: a few selfies, a bit of deception, a bit of football, and memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Has there ever been a team from England who has already played for England looks less like a job? You almost wanted to channel Desmond Lynam at the 1998 France World Cup.
England vs Sweden FIFA World Cup
1/22 Jordan Pickford – 9 out of 10
Save after save after backup to keep his goal intact. His brilliant first rescue kept Berg at bay with a dive to his left, his second came with brilliant reactions to deny Toivonen and his third frustrated Berg again. Nothing less than brilliant
REUTERS
2/22 Kyle Walker – 7 out of 10
Started strongly and sought to gain trust, without any mistakes that hurt his campaign up # 39; here.
AFP / Getty Images
3/22 Harry Maguire – 8 out of 10
Excellent header to open the scoring while he outclbaded the Swedish defense and he was a brilliant spark in the back for England, with his momentum goes from the deep replica of that of his colleague Stones.
REUTERS
4/22 John Stones – 7 out of 10
He may have been overshadowed by Maguire but it was another strong performance by the defender.
AP
5/22 Kieran Trippier – 8 out of 10
His performance from the corners was so consistent and gave England chances to attack, which Maguire has duly taken. Was a revelation in Russia
EPA
6/22 Jordan Henderson – 8 out of 10
Began in a brave manner as he faced early with l & # 39; referee Bjorn Kuipers, but his performance began to make the conversation with a show engaged. Crucial block after we save from Toivonen the indisputable victory of Pickford
EPA
7/22 Dele Alli – 8 out of 10
He silenced his detractors with a header in the second half to give England two clear and effective goals in the semifinals. Linked to the attack from England while he was allowed to roam freely by the Swedes.
EPA
8/22 Ashley Young – 7 out of 10
Did not have much to do as he was allowed to focus on fighting the poor Swedish attack. Important touch to remove the ball to John Guidetti at the end of the game.
REUTERS
9/22 Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10
A nice ball thrown in Alli puts the second goal on a plate, and he continues to justify his place in the team of England.
AP
10/22 Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10
Rushed after the race after the first half, only for his final Touch to drop him while he was spouted the offside trap twice. It should have been a goal, but it was a solid demonstration, if not with the finishing touch.
PA
11/22 Harry Kane – 6 out of 10
slightly off-color, which gives his performances in Russia up to now can be forgiven. Had an early sighter who just pbaded the far post, but could not react quickly enough when the ball fell to his feet at close range.
REUTERS
12/22 Robin Olsen – 5 out of 10
His commitment to trying to save Maguire's head can easily be questioned because he gave up before the ball crossed the line .
EPA
13/22 Emil Frafth – 4 out of 10
Abandoned possession far too cheap at first and England was able to target it with Sterling, Young and Lingard teaming up on the replacement, with Mikael Lustig absent.
REUTERS
14/22 Victor Lindelof – 5 out of 10
Winner of second place against Maguire in a stopped kick, he does not look like he's Imposing center-back that he needed to be.
AFP / Getty Images
15/22 Andreas Granqvist – 7 out of 10
The star player of Sweden while he gave it all in the performance of a captain on the return, only for his teammates around him to fade.
REUTERS
16/22 Ludwig Augustinsson – 6 out of 10
Did not close Trippier fast enough that allowed the right wing to return to deliberate a lot of ball in the region to attack England.
AP
17/22 Viktor Claesson – 6 of 10
Took the game in the second half as he tried to free Berg and Toivonen, but was almost absent enough in the first half.
AFP / Getty Images
18/22 Sebastian Larsson – 5 out of 10
Disappointing performance as he was invaded in the midfield. Had a late chance to make an impression when Sweden was awarded a free kick, but allowed Forsberg to claim it rather that wasted the opportunity.
EPA
19/22 Albin Ekdal – 6 out of 10 [19659010] Had a sighter of distance that never threatened Pickford's goal, but offered little else advanced.
AFP / Getty Images
20/22 Emil Forsberg – 5 out of 10
Given what he's capable of, it was a disappointing performance of the ground man as the game has far exceeded.
AP
21/22 Marcus Berg – 6 out of 10
Should have scored twice but met his match in Pickford. His first chance saw him leave for placement, only for Pickford to give him a hand, and his second had more power than for the "keeper". to place it above the bar.
AFP / Getty Images
22/22 Ola Toivonen – 5 out of 10
His goal struggles continue and when a glorious chance has come to end his drought, he has fluffed his lines no not once, but twice. Pickford then Henderson blocked his efforts. By the time he went for a third, you felt that he would never score any length of play.
AFP / Getty Images
1/22 Jordan Pickford – 9 of 10
Save after save after save to keep your goal intact. His brilliant first rescue kept Berg at bay with a dive to his left, his second came with brilliant reactions to deny Toivonen and his third frustrated Berg again. Nothing less than brilliant
REUTERS
2/22 Kyle Walker – 7 out of 10
Started with vigor and sought to gain confidence, without any mistakes that started his campaign up to the end. right here.
AFP / Getty Images
3/22 Harry Maguire – 8 out of 10
Excellent header to open the scoring while he outclbaded the Swedish defense and he was a brilliant spark in the back for England, with his momentum goes from the deep replica of that of his colleague Stones.
REUTERS
4/22 John Stones – 7 out of 10
He may have been overshadowed by Maguire but it was still a solid performance on the part of the defender
AP
5/22 Kieran Trippier – 8 out of 10
His performance from the corners was so consistent and gave England chances to attack, which Maguire duly took. Was a revelation in Russia.
EPA
6/22 Jordan Henderson – 8 out of 10
Party in a brave manner, he clashed early with referee Bjorn Kuipers, but his performance began to make conversation with a show engaged. Crucial blocking after Toivonen's Pickford stoppage, the best time
EPA
7/22 Dele Alli – 8 out of 10
He silenced his detractors with a header in a second period to give England two goals in the semifinals. Linked to the attack of England while he was allowed to roam freely by the Swedes
EPA
8/22 Ashley Young – 7 out of 10
N & A He did not have much to do because he was allowed to focus on fighting the poor Swedish attack. Important touch to remove the ball to John Guidetti at the end of the game.
REUTERS
9/22 Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10
A nice ball thrown in Alli puts the second goal on a plate, and he continues to justify his place in the team of England.
AP
10/22 Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10
Rushed after the race after the first half, only for his final Touch to drop it while he's spouted the offside trap twice. It should have been a goal, but it was a solid performance, if not the final touch.
PA
11/22 Harry Kane – 6 out of 10
slightly off-color, which gives his performances in Russia up to now can be forgiven. Had an early sighter who just pbaded the far post, but could not react quickly enough when the ball fell to his feet at close range.
REUTERS
12/22 Robin Olsen – 5 out of 10
His commitment to trying to save Maguire's head can easily be questioned because he gave up before the ball crossed the line .
EPA
13/22 Emil Frafth – 4 out of 10
Abandoned possession far too cheap at first and England was able to target it with Sterling, Young and Lingard teaming up on the replacement, with Mikael Lustig absent.
REUTERS
14/22 Victor Lindelof – 5 of 10
Took second place against Maguire at the stopped kick and he was not looking at the imposing center-back that & # 39; He needed to be.
AFP / Getty Images
15/22 Andreas Granqvist – 7 out of 10
The star player of Sweden while he gave it all during the performance of a captain at the back, only for his teammates around him to wither.
REUTERS
16/22 Ludwig Augustinsson – 6 out of 10
Did not close Trippier fast enough that allowed the right wing to return to deliberate a lot of balloon in the region to attack England.
AP
17/22 Viktor Claesson – 6 of 10
Took the game in the second half as he tried to free Berg and Toivonen, but was almost absent enough in the first half.
AFP / Getty Images
18/22 Sebastian Larsson – 5 of 10
Disappointing performance as he was invaded in the midfield. Had a late chance to make an impression when Sweden was awarded a free kick, but allowed Forsberg to claim it rather than wasted the opportunity.
EPA
19/22 Albin Ekdal – 6 out of 10 [19659010] Had a sighter of distance that never threatened Pickford's goal, but offered little else advanced.
AFP / Getty Images
20/22 Emil Forsberg – 5 out of 10
Given what he's capable of, it was a disappointing performance of the man from the field as the game has far exceeded.
AP
21/22 Marcus Berg – 6 out of 10
He should have scored twice but met his match in Pickford. His first chance saw him leave for placement, only for Pickford to give him a hand, and his second was more power than for the "keeper". for the palm on the bar.
AFP / Getty Images
22/22 Ola Toivonen – 5 out of 10
His goal struggles continue and when a glorious chance has come to end his drought, he has fluffed his lines no not once, but twice. Pickford then Henderson blocked his efforts. By the time he went for a third, you felt that he would never score any length of play.
AFP / Getty Images
Of course, Sweden was determined to see to that. And for much of the first scoreless half-hour, it seemed like a bit of hard work for England, who had a hard time winning against a Swedish team with great spatial intelligence and a desire of 50-50. Slipping between the tight lines of their defense and midfield, it was like trying to find room in a double cheeseburger.
Just as the game was stagnating to the point where he thought it was due to be delivered by Caesarean section, along Harry Maguire, or more precisely: came Harry Maguire's head. Maguire's head really has an identity and a car of its own: like a 3-wood, or one of Jupiter's moons, or an Elgin marble, or something similar, substantially and unyielding. It's really a Large Hadron Collider of a head, a head for which the hair is really just a kind of disguise, protecting the general public from the terrifying scale of this granite skull. The rumors that the Earth would have really turned around Maguire's head all this time would remain, according to the majority of astronomical consensus, purely conjectural.
Right in front of the goal line, you could see Dele Alli terrified: not in fear that it would hinder the goal and prevent a goal, but that the ball would hit him, and he would be swept into the net with the power of an explosion of neutrons. But he was fine, as was England. On the sideline, Southgate allowed himself a triumphant fist lift, before returning to the injured swan he was trying to heal on the bench in full health.
It had been a tense half-hour, The kind of period that, through muscular memory at least, still tends to bring the collective finger of the panic button nation closer together. Already, you could start to feel the shrill voices of dissent: speed it up, immediately bring Marcus Rashford, bin Raheem Sterling, remove Dele and replace it with one of those same It's Coming Home for the second half . But as the game progressed and England discovered that Sweden had all the sharpness of an Ikea meatball, she began to grow in confidence
The match remained 1-0 at half-time thanks to the two goalies. Robin Olsen first read Sterling's intentions as one of his articles from the Tribune of Players, and opened the ball of one chance on one. Then Pickford beautifully saved Marcus Berg with the same left hand that he had used to win the shootout against Colombia on Tuesday: a left hand that, by a catastrophic medical condition, seems to have grown to an alarming size in recent weeks, to the extent in which he now covers most of one side of the goal. Pickford would continue to do the same with his right hand in the second period, offering disturbing evidence that the disease could spread. A trait that remains unchanged, thankfully, is its habit of making a brilliant rescue and then charging around its penalty area by offering anyone who thinks it might be hard enough.
That was not quite perfect, of course, even after Dele's goal in the second half made the game safe. Sterling's debauchery remains a matter of concern, and Southgate probably wishes, in the intervals between his shifts for the Samaritans, that Pickford is not as busy. But England is in a World Cup semifinal, its first in the men's match since Southgate himself was a restless youngster trying to break into the first team at Crystal Palace, and none of that is seems so urgent.
Because England was found on a trip. The pre-tournament speech about the weakness of this team was always a little exaggerated – their starting lineup here, after all, was shot entirely from the first half of the Premier League – but this group of underrated players discovered depths that it 's not I know it' s been, plunged into reserves of energy and balance that until this summer had remained entirely theoretical. Whatever happens here on July 15th, English football will emerge from this fundamentally changed World Cup for the better: its culture has restarted, its psyche has been reworked. More importantly, like the holidays of the best friends: it was an absolute explosion
Follow the Independent Sport on Instagram here, for all the best images, videos and stories of the sports world.
[ad_2]
Source link
