England will look to take their major tournament one step ahead this World Cup after finishing runners-up in Euro 2020 after a semi-final exit at the 2018 World Cup. Under Gareth Southgate, England has made significant advancements in key competitions. It was their first semi-final participation since 1990 and just their second since 1966 in Russia. They then made an unprecedented run to the European Championship final. The environment around the national team turned toxic during a four-game losing streak at the close of the previous season, which ended in a 4-0 thumping by Hungary, and the hope that was fostered during those tournaments has somewhat evaporated over the past year.
England has problems. Injury issues and significant personnel concerns exist in defense, and Southgate is unwilling to stray from his stable of ineffective old standbys. Harry Kane is relied upon far too heavily upfront. They should not, however, be ignored. They have been given a relatively easy path into the knockout rounds in Group B, and assuming they advance that far, their recent success at winning tournaments might be helpful. Under Gareth Southgate, England’s biggest tournament campaigns have been based on a strong defense.
Although not without its faults, Southgate’s team is also brimming with talent. England will have one of the top attackers in Kane at the World Cup. He also has cunning and inventiveness. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden are all older, wiser, and presumably better people. Southgate’s detractors continue to question if he is the proper coach to maximize that attacking quality. They claim that he still has a point to make in terms of defeating elite opposition in the biggest games. However, he has already advanced England further than any of his most recent predecessors, which should inspire confidence. Despite their flaws, England enters the tournament as a contender.
For more football scores, click here
