Gareth Southgate got what he wanted from England if the measure was spirit and desire but exactly what he didn’t need from a helpless Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The manager was running out of patience with England fans as he described the disappointing defeat in Italy as “a step in the right direction” – but his side showed character and held on for a tense 3-3 draw. I looked like a fighting team for myself and my manager. Germany in their last match before the World Cup in Qatar.
England were two down and facing a third consecutive defeat before they not only scored their first goal from open play courtesy of Luke Shaw on 565 minutes, but two more goals from substitute Mason Mount and a Harry Kane penalty. put him in sight of his first win. in six games.
Germany’s lead, for the most part, belonged to Maguire when he clumsily fouled Jamal Musyala for Alke Gundogan’s penalty and then lost possession and was out of position as the visitors counter-attacked with Kai Huertz. Happened with a great ending.
England’s defense was not helped by a nagging hamstring injury that forced John Stones off in the first half and an increasingly worrying performance from Eric Dier.
It all looked 2-0, but England have found that in recent months with three goals in that 12-minute burst. It was proof that this team has the strength and threat that Southgate believes it has.
England bounced back to Wembley until Pope, who was known to handle the ball with certainty despite being very suspect with the ball at his feet, was deserted by his strongest quality as he scored three. With minutes remaining, Serge Gnabry’s routine shot was deflected at the feet of a lurking Havertz. .
The draw meant that it was England’s longest run without a win since April to June 1993, but the final whistle was warmly applauded by those who watched the thrilling second half and at least the action in Qatar. There were some hopes before the start.
Jude Bellingham showed his class once again, surely now a special World Cup start, while dynamic substitutes Mount and Bokaio Saka offered the kind of drive and positivity that have seen England so stoked recently. Looks different.
England dug deep when they could stop. It would have been easy to drop the heads but they fought with conviction to make victory unlikely.
In the context of the Nations League, with England already regaled, it was a dead rubber but any meeting with Germany is important and there was plenty of excitement in the second half.
That was the good part. At least that was what Southgate wanted – and needed – after England fans turned to him for the first time after defeats by Molineux in Milan and Italy in Italy on Friday.
And then there’s the ‘but’. A huge one.
The big problem, and it won’t go away, is that Maguire revealed exactly why he has been dropped by Manchester United and why so many questions are being asked about Southgate’s continued confidence in him.
The former Leicester City defender was relatively solid until a heavy touch and a poor pass gifted Musyala the ball in a dangerous area. The defender was slow and thoughtful to react, resorting to forwards in desperation.
The only surprise was that referee Danny Macleay needed to glance at the television screen to confirm what everyone saw in real time before pointing to the spot.
Two mistakes for the price of one, and Germany were happy with the gift.
It got worse when Maguire began to chase the ball in an attempt to make amends, a frustration that ended with him robbing the field and leaving the game behind after Germany went two up.
Southgate will publicly back him but how can he seriously consider starting Maguire in England’s World Cup opener against Iran on November 21 on current form?
The England manager’s loyalty is based on the fact that Maguire never let him down when it mattered. Can he really take that chance after what he’s seen here and what Maguire has shown over the months?
If he does, it appears to be a case of stubbornness or blind loyalty as the television cameras caught Maguire staring blankly at a player who was catching some glimpses of past form but falling severely short. was
Maguire’s confidence is shattered, he is hopelessly out of form and there is no suggestion – and on this evidence, there shouldn’t be – that United manager Erik ten Hague has called on his services on numerous occasions before the World Cup. of
Southgate is standing by Maguire against all evidence but it is getting to the point where it is not doing the player any good to stick with him.
A solid Maguire performance has reduced the noise surrounding his continued selection. He has done the exact opposite.
It was also a bad night for keeper Pope, putting his chances of deputizing first-choice Jordan Pickford – now firmly established as England’s undisputed number one – in serious jeopardy. .
Pope was nervous with the ball at his feet in Italy and was even more uncertain here before that costly late mistake really tarnished his performance. He has had two opportunities to advance his claims and has not taken advantage of them.
England sent their supporters home happy with what they saw and it deserves to be called a step in the right direction after the misery and mediocrity of Hungary and Italy.
That will lift the mood, giving England an injection of confidence ahead of Qatar, but Southgate now has a big call on Maguire, who currently looks out of shape for the pressure of a World Cup campaign. .
