itsbeautifuloutside

Match Report Part One

IBO Reporter: yateleysaint

Disclaimer: I was out at Let’s Rock on the Common all day yesterday so I’m having to watch the match back today. I watched most of it on a big screen but didn’t have a great view. It was also boiling hot and I’d had a few beers by that point and can’t remember much of the football except the two goals. There were two, weren’t there? I’ll find out for sure in the course of the next 90 minutes or so.

The game was played in Samara (about which I know nothing). England got off to a sedate start with plenty of possession but little penetration. Sweden were very reliant on set pieces. Didn’t they get the memo that that’s how England play?

Sweden have some tall, powerful players but lack the pace of the likes of Dele, Sterling and Lingard. The Swedes were playing a traditional 4-4-2, hoping for knockdowns from long balls, which is the sort of functional playing style you would expect England to be able to handle without too much trouble. Only Forsberg had the capability of providing something unexpected.

There wasn’t a great deal of urgency in the early stages as the players got the measure of the opposition. England were trying to play out from the back but the Sweden players were high up the pitch and making it difficult for England to move up.

After 19 minutes Sterling went on an enterprising foray into Swedish territory. The ball ran to Kane and his early sighter went wide. It was a sign that England were growing into the game as it went on, rather than being attacking from the off as they were in the first two group games.

Midway through the first half England started to apply some more pressure. Trippier (who had been making more headway down the right than Young down the left) squeezed in a cross but it was fielded by the Swedish keeper. A couple of minutes later Sweden nearly caught out England with a long ball over the top to Berg but it was ruled offside. At this stage, neither side was doing very well in possession, giving the ball away at frequent intervals.

When England passed the ball around well (just before the half hour) they won a corner after a cross to the far post from the impressive Trippier. Ashley Young (who had been playing like a poor man’s Ryan Bertrand) sent in the corner and it was met by a flying Harry Maguire who headed home (not like that). It was a good time for England to score as it meant that Sweden had to start chasing the game instead of sitting back and inviting England into them as they had done for the first half hour. It also seemed to settle England’s nerves slightly.

Trippier continued to be the England player most likely to set up a goal but Sterling was pulling Swedish players out of position with his forward runs. With 10 minutes to go until the break, England seemed quite secure as Sweden seemed happy to wait for set pieces rather than try and seize the initiative from open play.

After 40 minutes England managed to get Sterling in and Lingard tried a near post backheel, which didn’t quite come off, however, it was a sign that England could cause Sweden problems if they over-committed. A couple of minutes later Trippier nearly put Sterling in again but Sweden managed to clear. Then Sterling was declared offside, which was fortunate for him as he played on but couldn’t finish. Finally, he latched onto a good pass from Henderson. He was onside this time but again couldn’t put it away. England finished the first half strongly with a succession of corners, which Sweden repelled.

Right, I need to go and finish off the hoovering now and will be back shortly.

Match Report :

IBO Reporter: yateleysaint

Right lads, I just need to mop the kitchen floor now and then my housework is done...

...You join us here for the second half in a sweaty Samara. I’m working my way through a bag of marshmallows like the world-class athlete that I am. A flabby mixture of pink and white, I now have the marshmallows in easy reach.

Sweden started the second half strongly and Pickford pulled off a great save to deny Ekdahl a headed goal. England were lucky that this wake up call didn’t also bring the scores level and on went the England band. Sweden were already showing more ambition than they’d managed in the first half.

England threatened from a free kick but couldn’t find the decisive touch. Sterling then broke forward again and although Kane couldn’t connect with the cross it was a reminder to Sweden that they couldn’t get away with leaving too many gaps at the back.

England continued to turn the screw and won another corner, pushing Sweden back and snuffing out resistance. Almost on the hour, Dele popped up at the back post and headed a Lingard (?) cross past Olsen to bring end product to the possession and pressure.

Sweden simply had to counter-attack and brought a great save from Pickford. Henderson blocked and chased the ball clear like a man possessed. I think Henderson lacks finesse but you can’t fault his commitment.

Sweden were showing more attacking intent but England continued to look a threat, particularly from corners. The possession statistics were more even than in the first half but England continued to look the more likely to score. They were also winning the ball back high up the pitch and stifling Sweden.

After 71 minutes Guidetti (sp?!) broke well and crossed the ball. Berg controlled and shot sharply but it was near enough to Pickford for him to tip the ball over. England were doing well to keep Swedish chances to a minimum but when they did break through Pickford was more than a match for them.

After 75 minutes Delph came on for Dele, who seemed surprised to be taken off but who had done his bit for the second goal. Almost immediately Trippier crossed again but Sterling couldn’t get the final touch on the ball and took the Sweden defender instead.

Sweden kept going but England were resolute in defence. Ashley “Shithouse” Young got away with a boot to the shin and an elbow to the stomach, as he so often does. I know Bertrand didn’t have a great season but...

Trippier finally mucked up a delivery, just before Henderson was replaced by Dier and Krafth was replaced by Dirty Leeds’ Jansson.

England saw out the last few minutes in a certain amount of comfort. They are now in the semi final of the World Cup. What the hell is going on?!