Friday night under the lights against Albania. England go into this game top of group I, having won twenty points so far. Four points from two games needed to secure a spot at Qatar 2022. Tonight’s visitors sat third as things stood. Emile Smith Rowe featured after his first call up, something I heavily disagreed with. Too many people getting overrated too soon.
A packed-out Wembley stadium welcomed the two teams out for this evening’s affair. England started the game brightly with some great passing, not letting their opponents have a touch of the ball. Showing real dominance early on. Harry Maguire broke the deadlock in the nineth minute of the game, when he headed home his effort from the centre of the box. Assisted by Reece James through a set piece. Picking up their first injury Albania were forced into an early change. Pushing once more the visiting keeper was forced into a crucial save, Sterling causing him trouble. Second substitution for the guest came seventeen minutes in. Two injuries inside twenty minutes, a paper-thin squad is really being put into work. A moment later England broke through a got another goal for their tally. Heading in this time was Harry Kane, from very close range. Jordan Henderson applying the same cross as James previously did. As the score line rose so did the Albanian anger levels. Back-to-back bookings in a single piece of transition. Ending the string of headed goals in the twenty-eight minute was Jordan Henderson, assister turned scorer. Kane playing the supportive pass in the build-up. Three lions three up. It only took five minutes to get another, Harry Kane grabbing his second. In the tightest of angles, the Tottenham forward found the net, swiping the ball into the top right corner. The boy from Brent creating the opportunity. Right before half time Kane completed a hattrick. Six yards out the striker found the top left corner, taking the ball in well from the edge.
At the break England supporters were in complete shock at how easy this fixture turned out to be, expecting a win but not by this margin. Definitely not after only forty-five minutes at least. Conversations of double figures could be heard in the concourse during the rest period. With the game well and truly over before the second half even began. More substitutions were made, noticeably Albania taking off key players in a poor squad. Not much action occurred after play restarted. Bookings and home substitutions being the main spectacle for fans. Emile Smith Rowe making his way on to the pitch got the loudest cheer, one I personally did not join in on. More so considering it was Sterling being removed from the field of play.
In conclusion it was a good run out for England on the pitch. Great practise for games against better opposition, the first of two this international break. However, once more I was disappointed by the horrific behaviour of home supporters. Something that is really putting me of attending games. Constant childish behaviour from those younger and older than myself. A key incident I witnessed was a photographer being targeted, preventing him doing his job. Disgusted at those England supporters throwing objects at the individual. The players did their job, the fans didn’t do theirs. Urgent educating is needed!
Comentarios