This was England’s 1st knockout game of this year’s Euros and it just so happened to be against old rivals/nemesis Germany.
This game was played in front of 43,000 so could that home support guide England to a quarter final and a famous win over the Germans?
It was at Wembley Stadium.
After three minutes, Walker headed a cross behind for a corner, it came to nothing.
Five minutes later, Goretszka was through on goal, Rice fouled him aon the edge of the are for a freekick which was blocked by the wall.
After a quarter of a hour, Saka was fouled near touchline,but it came to nothing. Then a minute alter, Sterling had a right footed shot towards the far corner which was saved by Neuer for a corner, which went onto Maguire’shead which he headed but easily saved by Neuer.
At the midway point of the 1st half, Shaw’s freekick towards Stones came to nothing. Two minutes later, Trippier’s freekick was headed behind by Kimmich for a corner, which came to nothing. Then in the next move, Phillips ball went out wide and Maguire headed wide from the cross.
On the half hour mark, Phillips played a lovely ball to Sterling and eventually the cross came in but came to nothing. A minute later , Kimmich’s cross towards the near post went just over Gosens’ head, then Havertz played a good ball to Werner but it was a good save by Pickford.
Three minutes before halftime, Kane spun and ran to get fouled for a freekick in a dangerous area, Trippier took a quick one towards Kane but Hummels put it behind for a corner, wich was headed away by Hummels again.
The last action of the first half came in stoppage time as Sterling intercepted and dorve at Germany, but he got fouled but the ball fell to Kane who went round Neuer but took too long.
Halftime score: England 0-0 Germany
It was a intriguing first half, England probably with the better chances, but at the break it was 0-0, could England get a goal or two in the 2nd half to avoid extra time and penalties?
After 47 minutes, Havertz hit a volley superbly well and Pickford tipped it over the bar.
Ten minutes later , England attacked and Sterling had options but he had the ball took off him, then Germany went down the ther end and Werner’s shot was blocked for a corner, Germany did a short corner but came to nothing.
1st England goal
After 75 minutes, Wembley erupted as Sterling started the move, Kane held the ball up, passed to Grealish who passed wide to Shaw who crossed low and Sterling finished calmly in the corner, were England about to beat Germany?
Three minutes later, Germany freekick after Maguire fouled a Germany player but it went into the wall.
After 81 minutes, a massive moment as Sterling gave the ball away and Muller was played in on goal, surely he would score but dragged it wide, was that the luck England needed?
2nd England goal
With five minutes remaining, England won the ball back, Shaw passed to Grealish who crossed to Kane who headed he ball into the net for his 1st goal of Euro 2020 and the crowd erupted for the a 2nd time sending a euphoric wave all around England.
Fulltime score: England 2-0 Germany
A fantastic win for England as they finally beat Germany in a knockout game for the first time since 1966.
Shaw was immense again, Grealish changed the game when he came on.
Highlights of this memorable win are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZBO0YCrYw
Next up for England was a quarter final against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday July 3rd 2021, could England reach the semi finals for the 2nd time in back to back tournaments?
