10 things we learned as England lost to Portugal at the European Under-21 Championship

18 June 2015 22:16

As ever with England, it’s the hope that kills you.

All the pre-tournament optimism surrounding a talented group of players turned to jaded cynicism in 90 minutes of football that saw England outplayed by Portugal and beaten 1-0.

Here’s what we learned along the way…

1. England’s squad depth isn’t quite as good as we thought it was.

With John Stones and Saido Berahino both out injured from the original squad, the line-up was suddenly noticeably lacking in top-flight experience. That was in stark contrast to Portugal, who had a number of regulars from their senior team in their XI.

2. England fans will take any excuse to bash Roy Hodgson.

Never mind the fact that the England senior side’s last game was a rip-roaring five-goal thriller, the moment the under-21s strung three passes together the knives were out for Hodgson’s team.

3. England are very good at passing – sideways.

Nathan Redmond playing for the England Under-21s
Nathan Redmond (John Walton/EMPICS)

England certainly had no trouble picking out passes in the first half, and there are some technically impressive players in that midfield. Actual chances were not exactly plentiful, though, and Harry Kane got very little support.

4. England’s defensive issues run deeper than just the senior team.

Without Stones – sidelined because of concussion – the heart of the defence looked very vulnerable. In fact, with some neat approach play, a lack of cutting edge and a dodgy defence, the similarities between the under-21s and the senior side were striking.

5. Harry Kane can’t do it on his own.

It’s always interesting to see how a player gets on in a new environment, and the Tottenham striker looked comfortable enough when he got the ball. That was most obvious when his strike from distance drew a fantastic save from Jose Sa just after the half-hour mark. The trouble was, he didn’t get the ball anywhere near often enough, and when he got it there weren’t enough players near him.

6. James Ward-Prowse’s ability from set-pieces is particularly eye-catching.

There was something Beckham-esque about his free-kick at the start of the second half which appeared to be curling into the net. It went narrowly wide in the end, but fans had taken note – and naturally, as a Southampton player, Liverpool fans had taken note more than most. Shortly after that he was replaced by Derby’s Will Hughes.

7. The sucker punch can be an absolute killer.

Joao Mario celebrates scoring for Portugal
Joao Mario (John Walton/EMPICS)

England had absolutely dominated the second half when Joao Mario put Portugal ahead after 57 minutes. In a way it was unlucky as the ball took a deflection into the path of Bernardo Silva in the build-up. But England had about five players in the box and somehow managed to leave two Portuguese forwards unmarked. Not clever.

8. Fans don’t make any allowances for youth.

After Portugal scored, England more or less fell apart, bettered by their Portuguese counterparts in pretty much every department. And fans were not holding back.

9. It’s not all about England.

It was worth taking time to admire a very impressive Portugal team, who were completely dominant in midfield from the moment they took the lead and never looked like letting England back into the game.

10. But it was partly about England.

That’s a terrible record for England’s youngsters, and one that needs changing immediately. If the players are going to perform well in qualification and then fall apart on the big stage every two years, the under-21 team really isn’t doing the job it ought to be. There’ll be pressure now for England’s next game against Sweden on Sunday.

Source: SNAPPA