England won its opening match in a European Championship for the first time on Sunday against Croatia in London (1-0).
A victory that she owes in large part to her youth.
Europe 1 draws lessons from the first shock of Euro 2020.
If the first shock of Euro 2020 between England and Croatia disappointed football fans with its quality, the English youth has shone in broad daylight in the enclosure of Wembley. It was on a clever full-axis pass from Leeds midfielder Kalvin Philipps (25) that Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling (26) was able to score the only goal of the game and give the three points of the game. victory for England in Group D, a first in opening a Euro for the country of origin of football. In this match, Croatia did not confirm their status as the reigning vice-world champions, creating no chances for themselves. But England have found a succession perfectly launched by the coach of the Three Lions, Gareth Southgate.
"An excellent start to the game for the English"
"We wondered what he is playing with this starting eleven," exclaimed Philippe Auclair, London correspondent for Europe 1. "The coach made curious choices, putting Chelsea defender Benjamin Chilwell in the stands or that of Manchester United, Luke Shaw, on the bench. And it worked in large part thanks to Kalvin Philipps ", analyzes the journalist in Europe 1 Football club.
The encounter between England and Croatia will not go down in history due to its few scoring chances.
But for Philippe Auclair, it is a promising victory for the English: "There was an excellent start to the game for the English at a pace to which they have not accustomed us. It is all the more meritorious than at Wembley , it was 29 degrees in the shade, and there wasn't much of it on the pitch! A great profusion of energy from this young England team. We were impressed ".
>> Listen to Europe 1 Football Club in replay and podcast here
The keys to the game for youth
Coach Gareth Southgate has established Phil Foden and Mason Mount, two 21 and 22-year-old midfielders who organized the English team's game. "We saw a team of good quality and provide a very encouraging service for the rest of the tournament," added Philippe Auclair.
A feeling shared by Aline Riera, former footballer and consultant for Europe 1 Football club: "I found this team interesting. Gareth Southgate gave the keys to the English youth. It is courageous against the vice-world champions. C 'are a great team on paper, like Kalvin Philipps who had an excellent season, despite a few injuries. It's the metronome. There is the victory, and the way in the first half. young players already have the experience of a very high level ".
>> Subscribe to our newsletter on the Euro to not miss any of the competition
Harry Kane inside
However, the consultants point to "a downside" in the performance of England: the performance of their main scorer, Harry Kane (27), far below expectations. "He hardly touched a ball. He did not really have the opportunity to shine," analyzes Philippe Auclair. “The team played in a way that didn't suit him. We saw him win, work… It's a smooth start to the tournament for Kane, but he will gain momentum. England will play. late afternoon or evening, it's better for him, "he says.
With this victory, Gareth Southgate offers himself a few days of tranquility, he who has established players from less upscale English clubs. The coach has made strong choices, against a Croatia team that has not returned to its 2018 level. This will give the English coach a position of strength for the rest of the tournament, "concludes the journalist at Lionel's microphone. Rosso.