Original title: One goal to beat the Czech Republic and England to enter the top 16 as the group leader
England defeated the Czech Republic 1-0 with Sterling’s only goal on the 22nd, and advanced to the top 16 of the European Championship as the leader of Group D. The next game can continue to play at Wembley.
The two teams have already determined the group to qualify before the game, but the goal difference disadvantage means that the “Three Lions” must win if they want to win the group’s top spot. Coach Southgate finally made the highly vocal Aston Villa core Glarish start, and also included 19-year-old Arsenal teenager Saka and Manchester United defender Maguire who has been recuperating for a long time due to injury.
After the opening, England quickly entered the state as in the previous two games, Sterling shot the goal post two minutes later. In the 12th minute, Glarish made a pass from the penalty area, and Sterling jumped up behind Sarkar and scored with a header from close range.
Since then, England captain Kane also has a low shot saved by the opponent’s goalkeeper. The Czech team responded with a quick counterattack, but the high center Sigg, who had won the Czech team’s three goals in the first two games, failed to make a difference. With a long shot by Holles was saved by Pickford, the Czech team lost their best chance to tie the score.
In the second half, both teams made many substitutions and adjustments, but the increasingly dull game did not take off. England finally secured the top spot in the group with a record of 2 wins and 1 tie, and will wait for the second place in Group F in London on the 29th. name.
After the first group match relied on Sterling’s goal to win the World Cup runner-up Croatia, England was tied 0-0 by the tenacious Scottish team. Sterling said that the team’s offense that day has improved significantly. “We moved more smoothly and created a lot of opportunities. The most important thing is that we scored the goals we needed while keeping zero goals conceded.”
Southgate said the team’s performance was ups and downs throughout the game, but at some moments it played well. “This shows us a lot of positive things. We want to get the top of the group and stay at Wembley, and then we have to see who the next opponent will be.”
The stalemate in Group F means that France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary may all become England’s top 16 opponents.
As the Croatia team defeated the Scotland team 3:1, the Czech team could only qualify from the group in third place. (Reporter Zhang Wei)
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