A Sterling start!
Raheem hits first ‘major’ goal to bring England victory
GARETH Southgate insists Raheem Sterling deserves to be trusted by England after firing them to an opening Euro 2020 win over Croatia.
The Manchester City forward netted a second-half winner to seal a 1-0 victory at Wembley yesterday.
Sterling started ahead of Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, despite netting only three times in his previous 20 games for club and country.
He has now scored 13 goals in his last 17 England games following his Group D strike and repaid Southgate’s faith.
Boss Southgate said: “Raheem has had this hex in the tournaments and not being able to get the goal. I felt he was dangerous all day, right from the start he was a thorn in their side. I’m really pleased for all of them.
“He is a good player, his goal-scoring record suggests we should have faith with him, especially in the last few years.”
Sterling latched on to Kalvin Phillips’ pass to fire past Dominik Livakovic from 12 yards and grab a 57thminute winner as England won a European Championship opener for the first time.
He told the BBC: “There are a lot of different reasons I haven’t scored for my club and that’s totally irrelevant now.
“I’m here with England, I’m enjoying my football and that’s the most important thing and I’m just happy to score.”
Leeds United midfielder Phillips impressed throughout but played down his influence on the international stage.
“I’m just laid back, it’s the kind of person I am, regardless of what is being thrown at me I take it in my path and try to relax as much as possible,” he told the BBC.
“If I didn’t have the team and coaching staff around me it wouldn’t be possible.
“It was very enjoyable, it was very warm and took its toll towards the end of the game.
“I’m very happy with my performance but there are two more group games left.”
England shone during that encouraging opening 20 minutes, only for Croatia to settle and take the sting out of a sharp attack that continued to underwhelm early in the second half.
The restricted crowd inside Wembley created a din that belied that 21,500 attendance, with England flying out of the blocks and going close to a dream sixth-minute opener.
Sterling ran on to a quick, powerful throw-in by Kieran Trippier and played ont the ball on to Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden.
The 21-year-old kept his composure under pressure, cutting in and curling a lovely left-footed shot from just inside the box that hit the base of a post and came out.
Dominik Livakovic’s goal was under pressure again three minutes later, with the Croatia keeper forced to stop a fizzing volley from Phillips.
England continued on the front foot but the experienced Croatia side, led by skilful, wily skipper Luka Modric, began to play on their terms.
By the midway point of the opening period it was Zlatko Dalic’s men controlling possession, although Ivan Perisic’s mishit first attempt was all they could muster.
England’s early attacking intensity had dissipated, with Trippier hitting a well-placed free-kick against the wall.
Mateo Kovacic was booked for a late challenge on Chelsea teammate Mason Mount early in the second half, with his pained yelp heard from the stands, and Jordan Pickford comfortably dealt with a hopeful Modric effort.
Croatia were not creating much but England were looking passive, leading fans to chant Grealish’s name as the playmaker began to warm up.
But the slow creep of frustration soon turned to elation as England made the breakthrough.
Kyle Walker sent a low ball forwards to Phillips, who smartly turned inside from the right and played the ball through for Sterling to smash past Livakovic under pressure and send Wembley wild.
That 57th-minute strike was followed by a nerve-wracking moment as captain Harry Kane clattered the post when challenging for a cross.
The stretcher was brought out as the striker was treated, but he got back up to a hearty cheer.
Croatia moved up a gear after that break in play as they attempted to draw level, with Ante Rebic and Marcelo Brozovic having attempts.
Mount was a whisker away with a 25-yard free-kick and Sterling looked frustrated after lashing over from a Tyrone Mings knockdown as England looked to rubber-stamp victory.
John Stones was able to run off a knock and Southgate introduced 17-year-old Jude Bellingham for the closing stages; he became the youngest player to feature in Euros history.
England had to dig deep and contain Croatia until the end but they held on for the narrow victory, with Southgate’s delight clear after a late miss for the visitors was followed by the final whistle.