England suffer worst home defeat since 1928
Agence France-presse
MANCHESTER: Gareth Southgate was a national hero less than a year ago as he led England to a first major tournament final for 55 years but is now in the firing line after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Hungary.
England’s worst home loss since 1928 leaves them with possibility of relegation from the top tier of the Nations League. But it is the impact such an embarrassment will have on Southgate’s preparations for the World Cup is the most pressing concern.
England have only two more matches, away to Italy and home to Germany in September, before starting their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
Hungary’s Roland Sallai began the rout when he controlled the ball on his knee after a miscued header from John Stones before drilling past Aaron Ramsdale in the 16th minute.
Sallai scored a second in the 70th minute with a perfect finish with the outside of his boot after Kalvin Phillips lost a tackle. Zsolt Nagy chipped Ramsdale and Daniel Gazdag drove from distance into the corner for two late goals that heaped pain on England. The result was also the first time an away team had scored four goals against England since the Hungarians themselves won 6-3 in 1953.
The switch to a winter World Cup due to the climate in Qatar created a quirk in the calendar that forced international sides to play four matches this month after a physically exhausting campaign for many players at club level. Southgate pointed to that as a major factor in England’s failure to win in four consecutive games for the first time in his six-year tenure.
Germany crush Italy
MOENCHENGLADBACH: Germany demolished Italy 5-2 on Tuesday with a sparkling display of attacking football for their first Nations League A Group Three win, snapping a fourgame winless run and stretching their unbeaten streak under coach Hansi Flick.
In Germany’s best performance under Flick, Timo Werner struck twice after goals from Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Mueller had put them in the driving seat. Wilfried Gnonto and Alessandro Bastoni scored for the visitors.
The result sees Germany move second in the group as previous leaders Italy dropped to third. Hungary are on top.