Introduction

England’s Euro 2020 campaign got off to a flying start, as they beat Croatia 1-0 in their opening game. Gareth Southgate named a strong starting eleven, and they delivered a solid performance to secure a crucial victory. Let’s take a closer look at the England starting lineup for their first game:

The Starting Eleven

The England team that took to the field against Croatia was as follows:

GK: Jordan Pickford

RB: Kyle Walker

CB: John Stones

CB: Tyrone Mings

LB: Kieran Trippier

CM: Kalvin Phillips

CM: Declan Rice

CM: Mason Mount

RW: Phil Foden

LW: Raheem Sterling

CF: Harry Kane (C)

The Tactical Setup

Gareth Southgate opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice playing as central midfielders and Mason Mount playing ahead of them as the attacking midfielder. Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling played on the wings, while Harry Kane led the line as the central forward.

The Key Performers

England’s key performers in the game were Kalvin Phillips, Raheem Sterling, and Tyrone Mings. Phillips put in an all-action display in midfield, breaking up play and setting England on the attack. Sterling scored the only goal of the game with a cool finish, while Mings stepped up in the absence of the injured Harry Maguire and put in a solid performance at the heart of the defence.

The Impact Substitutes

Gareth Southgate made three substitutions in the game, bringing on Marcus Rashford, Jude Bellingham, and Trippier for Foden, Phillips, and Trippier, respectively. Rashford injected pace and energy into the attack, while Bellingham showed commendable composure and maturity for a 17-year-old debutant. Trippier provided solidity at the back and helped see out the game.

Conclusion

Overall, England got off to a great start in their Euro 2020 campaign with a hard-fought victory against Croatia. Gareth Southgate will be pleased with the performance of his team, but he will also know that there is still a lot of work to do if England are to go deep in the tournament. With the likes of France, Germany, and Portugal also in the mix, England will need to be at their best to be crowned champions of Europe.