An encouraging start for Southgate’s side
After their heroics during last summer’s World Cup in Russia, Gareth Southgate’s England side will have been hoping for a quick start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign on Friday night.
Thankfully, they got exactly that in a first half which saw a young side pass the ball confidently against a Czech Republic side they know they are superior to.
That superiority was evident throughout the first half and was proven further when Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the home side in the 23rd minute.
The assist came from Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho, making his first start for England in the match at Wembley. Sancho was played through beautifully by Harry Kane, before playing a first time ball across the six-yard box to Sterling.
The ball initially looked to be a bit in front of the on-fire Manchester City star, but he managed to stretch a leg and get clean contact with his studs and push the ball into the net to give England a strong start to their qualification campaign.
What a well worked goal by @England!
The front three combine and @Sanchooo10 squares for @sterling7 who finishes a lovely move! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/6oWHkO4ZGe
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 22, 2019
The goal, and the move that created it, was also evidence of the exciting level of attacking talent currently at Southgate’s disposal. With Kane, Sancho and Sterling playing this way in their first start together, the future looks extremely bright.
