YOUNG LIONS REVIVE ENGLAND
RISING STARS TAKE CENTRE STAGE TO PUT A SMILE ON SOUTHGATE’S FACE
PHIL FODEN stole the show as England finally put in a display full of attacking intent to destroy ten-man Iceland at Wembley last night.
The Manchester City youngster, 20, bagged his first England goals in the dead-rubber Nations League tie. Declan Rice and Mason Mount, both 21, also netted for the hosts.
But there was frustration for skipper Harry Kane, who was unable to add to his solitary Nations League strike against already relegated Iceland.
The fact the captain played 75 minutes as he searched desperately for that elusive goal potentially leaves Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate on collision course with Jose Mourinho.
The Tottenham manager will not have been pleased to see his star striker start what became a meaningless friendly with England unable to qualify for next year’s finals after losing in Belgium.
Four years ago, Iceland taught England a harsh lesson as they dumped their more-fancied opponents out of Euro 2016. A similar result was never going to happen this time. Iceland, with coach Erik Hamren leaving after this game, are in transition and missed their star man, Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The visitors arrived having never taken a point in the Nations League, let alone won a game. They kept their hosts at bay for 20 minutes, however, but when England led, it was fully deserved.
Foden whipped in a free-kick from the left and Rice’s glanced header brought his first goal for England. Four minutes later, it was 2-0, Mount sweeping home coolly from inside the box.
Birkir Saevarsson picked up a second booking for a foul on Bukayo Saka and Foden, Kane and Grealish all went close.
With ten minutes remaining, substitute Jadon Sancho broke through Iceland’s resistance down the left and set up Foden for a cool finish.
Foden wrapped up a superb display, blasting past Hannes Halldorsson as England found a cutting edge – at last.