Euro 2016: England 1 - 1 Russia: Poor Decisions Cost England Win

Euro 2016: England 1 - 1 Russia: Poor Decisions Cost England Win

 

It was yet again the same old story for England fans that anticipated an England win for the first game of a major tournament. Even I, one of the more spectical fans watching yesterday, felt that we definitely had the three points in the bag after Eric Dier's 73rd minute free-kick goal, from which he became the first-ever English player to score from a free-kick at the European Championships.

 

Then the 'old England' turned up.

 

With about a minute to go to the final whistle, Russia's Vasili Berezutski headed home to earn his country a point that they barely deserved. Now, you can't blame Russia for coming back and getting a point when they spend the majority of the second half as the dominate team, even though they only had two shots on target and was their first shot since the 17th minute. In contrast with England's 15 shots, five of which were on target, and the fault doesn't fall onto the players but the manager, Roy Hodgson. 

 

The three problems I have with Roy Hodgson in regards to this match was the fact that Raheem Sterling was picked over Jamie Vardy in the starting XI, Wayne Rooney was taken off for Jack Wilshere in the 78th minute and James Milner coming on for Raheem Sterling in the 87th minute. How do you justify Sterling ahead of Vardy?? Jamie Vardy scored 24 league goals in 36 league games, were as Sterling scored only 6 league goals in 31 league games. Yet Sterling starts? BBC Sport Journalist Phil McNulty said in April 2015 that Sterling was "very good with the potential to be outstanding" but it truly baffles me that Roy can start Sterling over one of the best finishers that the Premier League has to offer. Then Rooney, who had an awesome game with a 86 percent success rate from 55 passes, was taken off for Jack Whilshere. Although Jack did do okay, the choice to take off Rooney when he was playing his best game for England in a long time is quite baffling. The final nail in the coffin for me with regards to poor decisions was when James 'Boring' Milner came on in the 87th minute. Milner? This just makes the fact that Vardy didn't get on the pitch at all that little bit more annoying.   

 

Anyway, the positives from the game was that England played excellent in the first half and created a big array of chances but ultimately poor decisions cost England the three points they deserved.

 

What's next for both teams?

 

Russia face Slovakia on Wednesday 15th June at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villieneuve-d'Ascq and England face Wales on Thursday 16th June at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens.

 

 

 

 



 

England still haven't won their opening game at the European Championship.