Lingard powers in England’s winning goal
Amsterdam: Jesse Lingard’s first international goal extended England’s unbeaten run to seven games and gave them a deserved 1-0 victory against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Lingard made the decisive contribution just before the hour, arriving on the edge of the penalty area to fire low past Dutch keeper Jeroen Zoet, who got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.
It was just reward for manager Gareth Southgate and his players after a controlled display with an experimental side, including Kyle Walker on the right side of a three-man defence.
Southgate’s only complaint will be England should have made more of their domination of possession, though they should also have had a penalty when Marcus Rashford was brought down by a combination of Zoet and defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had the satisfaction of keeping a second successive clean sheet for England, although there was a setback when Liverpool’s Joe Gomez went off early through injury.
Despite that, the Netherlands seldom threatened in former Everton boss Ronald Koeman’s first game in charge after Dick Advocaat’s resignation.
RESULTS
Russia 0-3 Brazil, Turkey 1-0 Republic of Ireland, Argentina 2-0 Italy, Germany 1-1 Spain, Netherlands 0-1 England, Portugal 2-1 Egypt, Scotland 0-1 Costa Rica, Japan 1-1Mali, Cyprus 0-0 Montenegro, Finland 0-0 Macedonia, Senegal 1-1Uzbekistan.