England face Germany at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in their last 16 tie, after winning Group D there can be no mistakes now. England may not have produced a statement performance in the manner of Germany, Italy and Belgium, or hinted at greater menace to come like France, but they are exactly where they want to be and Southgate will be satisfied with that. It has been nowhere near perfect, but it is hardly a cause for doom and gloom either. The defeats for France yesterday, as well as big names such as Portugal and Holland going out early makes this a wide open tournament now.
Looking at the positives, three clean sheets is impressive in any tournament and regardless of opposition, Gareth Southgate gave a long-awaited start to Jack Grealish against the Czech's and also brought in Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka both give attacking options and helped to create the winning goal for Raheem Sterling. Still waiting for Harry Kane to score but there are options around the squad but he'll surely come good soon. An exciting 2-2 draw against Hungary secure the runners up spot in Group F for Germany however they have been very hot and cold so far this tournament, concede plenty of goals, so I hope we go at them. Germany look towards a front target man in Timo Werner with both Kai Havertz and Thomas Müller tucked in behind.
The match is Live on BBC One with kick off at 5pm.
England XI 2 [Sterling 75' Kane 86']
Pickford (Gk), Walker, Stones, 🟨Maguire, Trippier, Shaw, 🟨Phillips, 🟨Rice, Saka, Sterling, Kane (c).
Germany XI 0
Neuer (Gk) (c), 🟨Ginter, Hummels, Rüdiger, Kimmich, Goretzka, Kroos, 🟨Gosens, Havertz, Müller, Werner.
Head to Head
According to the stats we've have played against our friends Germany (including stats as West Germany) 32 times prior to this. Since 1930 (3-3 draw) we were unbeaten in friendlies up to the famous 1966 World Cup final win since then however the record is slightly less impressive. England have been victorious 13 times, Germany have a slight lead with 15 wins and there have been 4 draws. We've not played them since November 2017 which was a dire 0-0 draw, hopefully we can edge towards another win this afternoon.
England Win !! And will now face Ukraine on Saturday night, the Ukraine having beaten Sweden 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday night.
"But I still see that tackle by Moore
And when Linekar scored
Bobby belting the ball
And Nobby Dancing…"
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