England off and running with first victory in opening game of Euro 2020

 England off and running with first victory in opening game of Euro 2020.

By the law of averages it had to happen sooner or later. If you'd had a bet on the result of England's opening game of Euro 2020 it's hard to know what kind of odds you'd have got on an England victory. But credit where it's due England's duly presented the nation with that longed for win in its first game of Euro 2020.

Now the chances are that this may be a false dawn for England since we're all acquainted with that story. Or are we not? We know what happened 25 years ago when Terry Venables fired up Three Lions troops were sufficiently inspired to win a penalty shoot out against Spain at Wembley and then eventually they reached the semi final of the competition only to confront a formidable German brick wall that never really looked like crumbling. To all intents and purposes it was the perfect time and the most exhilarating of all summers although there were no English open top bus parades at the end. 

Roll forward 25 years and Gareth Southgate who so agonisingly missed the crucial penalty which terminated England's participation during Euro 96, was once again at the centre of our universe. This time Southgate was manager and coach of his country and for the first time in well over 18 months, the fans and supporters were back on the terraces albeit in somewhat limited numbers. It was an emotional reunion that was so heavy with poignancy that some of us could hardly believe what we were watching. 

This time Southgate was suitably suited and booted, shirt crisply laundered and tie neat, a manager who had endeared himself completely to the national cause when he made a moving announcement about England's continued commitment to keeping racism out of football, rousing his men with an inspirational message about a country's sense of togetherness when things go awry. 

Sometimes you have to believe that anything may be possible for this England side. They may not quite win Euro 2020 but the strength of their patriotic spirit can't be denied. Around Wembley there was the familiar sight of bare chested England fans swigging their plastic bottles of water and generally grateful for small mercies. Suddenly, the mains had been switched on and the voices, although slightly muted, were still powerful enough to generate a stereo amplification that could probably be heard at Wembley Park Tube station. 

The early afternoon kick offs meant that a huge shadow seemed to be covering one half of the Wembley pitch. But the other half consisted of a warm sunshine that must have lifted the nation. Summertime in the city of London had arrived and England were bright, breezy and buoyant, a team whose now towering confidence seemed to sustain them for the entire game. England are now a side reformed and transformed under Southgate, a  man whose crisp, short passing philosophy has given the team a much more refreshing perspective. The days of the industrial, grim, saturnine long ball have now been replaced by deeply uplifting and pleasurable football, a team with a collective ethos and a real identity.

After being appointed as captain of his country Harry Kane, in the wake of Jordan Henderson of Liverpool admittedly struggled to assert himself as the central focus of England's attack. This could be an important close season for Kane since his future at his boyhood team has now been shrouded in doubt. It was noticeable yesterday that the Spurs forward may well have been unsettled by all the attention on the destination of his next club if indeed this is the case.

For England as a team, this was precisely the result they may have been hoping. While Kyle Walker once again looked a powerhouse at the back with his significant interventions and clever policing of the Croatian forwards, both John Stones and Tyron Mings were also giant rocks guarding the heart of their defence. Walker though was caught out alarmingly at times when England's defensive hinges needed to be oiled. 

Then the national side have entrusted the responsibility of their blossoming future to the extraordinary talents of Mason Mount, a smooth, cultured player equipped with ball playing artistry who holds the ball, slows it down to his pace and surveys the options in front of him with an experienced air way beyond his years. Mount is hugely intelligent, a role model visionary and his impeccable distribution to his colleagues is a work of art. 

Once again Declan Rice gave a quiet, understated but authoritative performance, coolly laying off short, sharp passes that then gave the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kieran Trippier, Kalvin Philips and Phil Foden the impetus and propulsive power to stream forward into open channels down the flanks. Philips, now an established Leeds playmaker, certainly gave evidence of a special talent. Philips is quick- witted, energetic, restless, hard tackling and committed to the cause, qualities that may be regarded as essential within the next couple of weeks.

Then there was Phil Foden, another splendid Manchester City discovery, a player of vast intelligence, heart and soul and a wonderful capacity for producing the unexpected and pacey into the bargain. Foden, now blond, exploded into action quite frequently, running, cutting in from the touchlines, challenging and creating space wherever he went on his travels. 

When England's goal though eventually came it did so at a time when Luca Modric was beginning to exert his evergreen and magical influence on any game of football. Modric of course is an inveterate game changer and match winner, still capable of  electrifying a game with a drop of the shoulder, driving run and then a vital goal. Then Ivan Perisic, equally as influential combined with Marcel Brozovic, the consistently probing Andrej Kramaric and Mateo Kovacic to frighten the life out of Gareth Southgate's well organised defence. 

But when Philips bore through the middle of the pitch to lay on a delightful through ball for Raheem Sterling to run onto, England knew they were in a good place. Sterling finally scored his first goal, slipping the ball easily into the back of the Croatia net. The local lad had done his best and finest. In a small corner of Manchester Sterling's boss Pep Guardiola must have allowed himself just a whoop of joy. 

So the first part of England's Euro expedition had been conquered and 21,000 England fans were still hoping that miracles can happen. There is the small matter of Scotland to come this Friday followed by the Czech Republic next week. It is never wise to make logical predictions about England in international tournament mode but if you still fancy a roller coaster of a ride then this may be the right time and right place. Hold on everybody.