England coach Gareth Southgate expressed his disappointment with his team’s performance after a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Malta. Despite the win securing top seeding at Euro 2024, Southgate acknowledged that his team was not playing at the level they aspired to be. The match against Malta, who are ranked 171st in the world, exposed the lack of quality and cohesion in England’s gameplay.
Throughout the majority of the match, England struggled to create a significant gap in score against their relatively weaker opponents. An early own goal by Enrico Pepe was the sole difference between the two teams until the 75th minute when captain Harry Kane doubled England’s lead. Despite some moments of promise, including Declan Rice’s disallowed goal for offside, England’s performance lacked the desired energy and creativity.
Missed Opportunities
Southgate highlighted the underwhelming display from several fringe players who were given a chance to make a statement in the match. However, they failed to impress, wasting the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. In a post-match news conference, Southgate emphasized the need for better quality with the ball and a more coordinated pressing game. He acknowledged that the team fell short of their desired level and agreed that improvements were necessary.
Sealing Group C Victory
Despite the lackluster performance, England had already secured qualification for the Euro 2024 finals. The victory over Malta guaranteed them the top spot in Group C. Only a single point is needed against North Macedonia in the next match to secure a place among the top five teams in Pot 1. Thanks to their superior goal difference, England’s progression to the finals is almost assured. Currently, they have 19 points from seven games, with Italy on 13 and Ukraine on 13 after defeating North Macedonia.
Southgate recognized that players often self-regulate when faced with a series of matches. He explained that the level of performance required to beat strong teams like Italy is higher than what is needed to win against weaker opponents like Malta. This discrepancy in mindset can lead to a slightly lackadaisical approach in matches where victory is almost expected. Southgate drew from his own playing experience, acknowledging that players unconsciously do enough to secure a win in such games.
Hard Work Already Done
Southgate rightfully argued that his team had already achieved significant success in the qualifying stage. Impressive victories over European champions Italy allowed England to dominate their group. He also pointed out that injuries prevented some key players, like Jude Bellingham, from being available for the final qualifying matches. However, these factors do not fully excuse the lack of dominance and ease expected against a Malta side that had not earned any points and scored just two goals in the group.
A Lack of Fluidity
England’s performance in the first half was tepid and lacked spark. Despite taking an early lead through an own goal, they struggled to assert their control over the match. Malta had more attempts on goal, displayed greater energy, and were unfortunate to be trailing. The hosts’ sloppy play and several missed chances demonstrated a lack of fluidity and coordination in their gameplay.
Subpar Second Half
The second half failed to bring about a significant improvement for England. Substitutions were made, with Bukayo Saka and Kyle Walker coming on for Conor Gallagher and Fikayo Tomori, respectively. However, these changes did little to transform the overall performance. Marcus Rashford’s collision with teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold symbolized the disjointed display of the team. The entrance of Chelsea youngster Cole Palmer, making his debut, brought the biggest cheer of the game but did not have a substantial impact. The victory was secured by Kane’s easy finish, but the overall performance left much to be desired.
The Road Ahead
England’s lackluster performance against Malta serves as a wake-up call for Southgate and his team. With upcoming friendlies against strong opponents like Belgium and Brazil, they will face more formidable challenges. These matches will be crucial in assessing England’s true capabilities and identifying areas in need of improvement before the Euro 2024 finals. Southgate emphasized that similar lackadaisical performances would not be excusable in the future, as different levels of motivation are expected in more competitive fixtures.
England’s victory against Malta may have secured their top seeding at Euro 2024, but it also revealed significant deficiencies in their gameplay. Gareth Southgate rightly expressed his disappointment with the team’s lackluster performance and emphasized the need for improvement. As they prepare for more challenging matches, England must address their shortcomings and strive to meet the level of quality and consistency expected of them. Only by doing so can they hope to succeed on the grand stage of the Euro 2024 finals.
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