06/13/2021 10:13 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 06/13/2021 11:57 AM
England took its first step on Sunday in this peculiar Eurocopa 2020, which is played with 24 teams and in 11 cities on the continent.
They beat world runners-up Croatia 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a solo goal from Raheem Sterling after a great move from Kalvin Phillips.
The clash, which generated expectations and which reissued the semifinal of the 2018 World Cup when Croatia came back from 2-1 in the extension, had a great protagonist the team of Gareth Southgate, who from the first minutes had his rival tight against him area defended by Livakovic.
In the 6th minute England came very close to unbalancing after Phil Foden smashed a shot at the right post of Livakovic's goal.
The play began on a side that Trippier took and continued with a run from Sterling, who enabled his Manchester City teammate.
The Young Wonder cut in and his left foot hit the base of the post.
#EurocopaxTNTsports |
England is here!
The stick denied Philip Foden the opening of the scoreboard. # INGCROxTNTsports pic.twitter.com/pnodZq3XqX
- TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) June 13, 2021
Immediately afterwards, Kalvin Phillips, Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United midfielder, again demanded Livakovic, who had to reject a powerful shot from long range.
It was only in the 24th minute that the Croats made their first approach after a cross from Vrsaljko, which was cleared by the defense when Rebic and Perisic rubbed their hands to put Jordan Pickford in trouble.
With the same formula, an overflow of Vrsaljko, the Croats again generated headaches for the locals.
The center from the right, this time, reached its destination, but Perisic finished off very bit and wide.
#EurocopaxTNTsports |
A poem!
Foden slept the ball with a technical gesture of enormous quality. # INGCROxTNTsports pic.twitter.com/27A0490wWr
- TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) June 13, 2021
There is no longer a marked dominance of those from Southgate, who began to lose control of the ball at the hands of the Croatian midfield, whose axis is Modric, well supported by Brozovic and Kovacic.
The match between a plateau and risky plays began to be scarce at Wembley.
It was only in the 42nd minute that England were in danger again thanks to a free kick on the edge of the Croatian area after a hand from Caleta-Car as Sterling slipped away.
The one who took charge of the execution was Trippier and the ball, which seemed to be destined for the goal, was met with a good response from Perisic, who blocked from the barrier and celebrated it as a goal.
Croatia started stronger in the second half.
The owner of the house, without change of pace, lost the game circuits that had worked and a lot in the initial part.
And, with Modric as the axis, those led by Zlatko Dalic began to find spaces.
In England's worst moment came the unexpected prize.
Phillips handled the ball from the right and after cutting towards the center he put a dagger for Sterling, who struck at the right moment and finished on goal before the desperate exit of Livakovic.
It was 11 minutes into the second half and the scene of the match changed suddenly.
#EurocopaxTNTsports |
Great play for 1-0!
Raheem Sterling defined heads-up against Dominik Livakovic for England to celebrate.
#INGCROxTNTsportshttps: //t.co/9RzIJTMF2E pic.twitter.com/5An9u6gdnS
- TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) June 13, 2021
Immediately England were close to the goal again.
It was a past cross that found Harry Kane entering the far post and winning the position over Gvardiol.
The blond from Tottenham finished high and ended up hitting one of the sticks.
The situation was very clear.
Zafó Croatia.
#EurocopaxTNTsports |
All bad for Harry Kane!
The English striker missed the second and hit the stick defended by Dominik Livakovic. # INGCROxTNTsports pic.twitter.com/K9HoYKpMcR
- TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) June 13, 2021
The game died down after Sterling's goal and that appearance by Kane, who was later replaced by 17-year-old Jude Bellingham, who appears with his football in Borussia Dortmund.
England set about managing the lead and Croatia did not know how to approach Pickford's goal.
Hardly the odd ball, but it was well controlled by the good Everton goalkeeper.
England celebrated, who took the first step against, perhaps, the most complex rival in Group D, which they share with the Czech Republic and Scotland, which will only be presented this Monday.