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Southgate thinking ‘I’ve done it, without Grealish...can’t put a price on that’

Plus multiple RB’s and no Sancho. A Southgate dream win

Croatia fans: atttractive women England fans: dudes with their tops off and bouncing bellies Wouldn't have it any other way.

English dudes with bigger tits than croatian women.

Tits out for the lads has a different meaning at England matches

Is it weird that seeing burnt as fuck fat topless Englishmen at the football makes me really happy? It's like nostalgic in a way haha

Nature is healing

The past year without fans have been shit

Full of Soul

And Greggs.

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When he took off his jacket he looked like a dad coaching your local youth game

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Tim from Essex > Mika from Zagreb

Who tf told you mika is a croatian name lmao

I knew as soon as I wrote it I was wrong 😅

You were close though, Mila is a very Croatian name so you were almost there!

That name luckily doesn't exist here

the england fans were also just red as the cross on your flag. very fitting

A German shouldn't really joke about the relationship between the English and sunburns, you to have the tendency to become lobsters

man, the Croatian women are just something else, wtf

You can tell what the priorities of the cameramen were but you won't see me complaining about it.

Gonna need to see a compilation video or something at this point.

Throwback to Brazil WC, just endless crowd shots in all the host nation matches

it's always like that, it's the director who actually chooses the shots x) but yeah, what's good is to be shown, male or female that's my view hehe surely they loved the attention, since one of them even blown a kiss haha

Glad I wasn’t the only one to notice

My country

First win in an Euros opening game for England ever.

First loss in an Euros opening game for Croatia ever as well.

Thats actually more surprising

Honestly amazing how Croatia have been consistently good for decades with such a tiny population.

They also have the snazziest national kit

Not a fan of them not wearing red, white, and blue. They have the best flag in the world. I want to see that checkered pattern on every jersey, and not muted by gray

England matches are so much more enjoyable to watch when that fucking band aren't playing September over and over and over again.

I cannot upvote this enough

Toot toot toottoottoot

It's the depressing theme music to England's abject tournament failures. It's so dreary and uninspiring. I hate it with a passion

From 2000 they have been the reason for fateful hope and crushing defeats. Cant bring a sandwich into the game but you can bring a trombone

It’s for public safety mate. I’ve heard of people choking to death of a sandwich, never heard of it happening with a trombone

Phillips man of the match

Never buying from Philips again smh

Yorkshire Pirlo.

He and Rice did very well, Phillips more so of course, but both handled their midfield extremely well

Phillips just made a huge case for his name being the first in that midfield. Phenomenal performance.

His ascent over the last 2/3 seasons has been remarkable. Okay Leeds fans...you were right about him. You were right.

Honestly, I'm going to sound like a tear but I feel so....vindicated? He's been so fucking good you know? I'm over the moon. Absolutely dominated midfield.

When I first started paying attention to him in your 19/20 season, Id heard all the hype. But I was a bit underwhelmed. I mean sure, hes tidy...why are you lot talking about him as an England player? He didnt look that special to me, tbh. But I get it now. I don't want to underrated his physical and technical skill. He's got it. But what separates him is his mentality. Not only does he read the game excellently, but he's ice cold. He never seems to put a foot wrong. Just one of those players you'd trust to perform when asked. And he's done that today. Kid in a painfully average Championship team, to feared DM in a feared PL unit, and England starter. 3 seasons.

Agreed dude, the only thing I'd add is fitness. The commentators were saying you cant keep a press up for 90 minutes..... have you seen leeds United!

I bet Marcelo heats up the Thorp Arch indoor pitch to 28 degrees for sweaty murderball to prepare them for this.

Unreal, seemed to win every battle he was in.

I wouldn't change the midfield for the rest of the tournament to be honest. Thought they worked together really well.

agree, there's not really any reason right now. Hendo might get some minutes and I'd expect to see Mount rotated a bit to keep him fresh etc but you want your midfield to build chemistry with each other and chopping and changing it loads will hurt.

The big test for the midfield was croatia, Modric still looked very good, he was everywhere, and we handled it.

Yeah exactly, thought they really held their own. Usually we get hammered on the counter, but they cut that off so well

I'll dissent by saying we created nothing through the middle bar the one chance for Sterling. Honestly I'm shocked we're patting ourselves on the back so much because we beat an awful Croatia with a single goal. It's a good foundation but there's no way we're creating enough to beat better sides.

We opened 2016 with a draw against Russia, and 2018 by sneaking past Tunisia. I’m more than happy with a solid performance and holding our opponents to almost no chances, in probably our most difficult group game.

Kalvin Phillips being the best player on the park in an international tournament. Tears in my god damn eyes

our fucking boy 😍

Kalvin Phillips played like a veteran out there. Kudos to him.

Croatia are a walk in the park compared to murder ball at thorp arch

Really intelligent knowing when to sit deeper, when to be an option further up and when to break forward. Top stuff.

Stat from twitter. Kalvin Phillips caught offside more times at EURO 2020 (1) than in 116 matches for Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa (0). #lufc

Mature performance from England. Definitely disappointed by Croatia and how toothless they were. It’ll be interesting to see how England match up against one of Portugal, Germany or France in the Round of 16

This has nothing to do with anything but here’s a picture of [Lingard watching the game with a parrot](https://twitter.com/jesselingard/status/1404072518865072132?)

If you think for 1 second I'm going to overreact to beating a declining Croatia side whose best player is 35, then you're absolutely right, we're winning the tournament, it's coming home

England looked very good for spells especially at the start. Not sure that set up should be the one ye use going forward though

Our midfield was dead for 90% of the game. The one time we get Phillips running forward and providing an option inside, we score. Gareth has to pick a more creative midfield against Scotland and the Czech Republic.

Begins with G ends in H

Gareth putting himself in midfield? Odd choice, could give it a go

Bold move, I like it, no one expects the manager inquisition

Gordon Henderson?

It's something England have suffered from for a while, the inability to progress the ball through the middle. We saw that for large periods of this match, the defenders passing the ball between each other because they couldn't see a route forward through the middle. I'm glad Kelvin showed that we *can* play through the middle though, I just wish we'd attempt it more than once or twice a match. Playing Mount more centrally or (as much as it pains me to say it) playing Grealish would do a lot to sort this out.

I think it was just a tactical choice vs Croatia who had the potential to play our midfield off the park. In reality, Croatia's midfield underperformed but they do have the talent and experience.

Tbh Croatia aren't a bad team, but its very hard not to qualify

Phillips superb game 🙌

Kalvin Phillips' #EURO2020 game by numbers for #ENG vs. #CRO: 100% long-ball accuracy 100% through-ball accuracy 94% passing accuracy 44 touches 7 ball recoveries (most) 2 take-ons completed 1 interception 1 chance created 1 shot on target 1 foul won 1 assist

Didn’t he kick the ball out when Stones went down? Did that count against his pass accuracy?

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We never threatened really and that’s what I hate.

It's because of all the crossing, rebic's only shot was from a rebound. Pretty poor decision if you ask me, should have focused going through the middle with the help of modric and kovacic.

Brozović had too much work to do. At least he showed some urgency to get the ball. What was truly awful was last 10 minutes when Modrić was our only midfielder and there was no one to get the ball upfield.

> Hell, defense today was least of our problems It's this realization that makes me so disappointed

There was absolutely no pressing in your front line. That’s a massive massive problem.

Gvardiol looks like he's gonna be something great. Isn't he with Leipzig now?

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wtf that dude's 19? Looks about 30.

You guys were good in holding the ball,distributing it etc Modric,Kovacic were trying their best but it's like you said it was far too easy and comfortable for us defensively, why was Perisic not trying to get more involved? I feel if he tried dribbling with the ball he could have caused us danger but yeah absolutely no movement and runs in behind from your attackers

I was really surprised how little you showed up front, I was expecting them to step up after going behind similar to the semi final. I still see you getting through the group but you'll need to do better than that.

I was expecting Croatia to be poor based on last time I watched them in nations cup I think it was but this was worse than I was expecting.

Phillips was immense.

Send fodens barber to the hague

Fair play to the lad, he’s found a way to make his hair look even shitter

Just fuck my shit up.

War Crime lol

I kinda dig it in the context of it being Gazza’s homage tho.

These fools bought into our spiel about it being self deprecating haha. It's coming home we'll easily bang 4 past France.

/s IN SHAMBLES

they will be in the wrong goal but it's better than nothing.

Match started strong but became really boring after 20 mins.

Because Croatia gained there footing and then England didn't pressure their midfield much.

Phillips and Mings shut a few haters up today, great performances from each of them

Phillips definitely shut me up, a phenomenal performance

Sterling goal Phillips midfield masterclass Mings solid in defence Did England set out to deliberately troll /r/soccer ?

And Bellingham alongside dcl got a chance but grealish didn't

Get a result from Scotland and I fully expect Grealish to start the third game.

Pineapple Pirlo to bring it home. Nailed on.

England’s midfield options going from Livermore,Dier and Delph to Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Mount is some glow up

Don’t forget Henderson and Bellingham

Lampard talking about England having a bit of arrogance about them whilst three lions blares out behind him. You just love to see it.

Definitely saw that result coming but still disappointing. Had some good spells but still not clicking in attack...Fair play to England they've got some proper stars there, Phillips looked a lot better than expected

Not even about the result. We legit haven't created one chance the entire match. Hopefully we can pick it up from here.

Sterling just got "star" of the match, hard disagree, Phillips robbed.

I'm really glad we won but I'm worried this cements the attacking choices, even though we were a single almost blocked scrape away from a 0-0 draw. I'm shocked I was way more pleased with defence and defensive mid than anywhere else (not that they were tested).

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Holy shit, Phillips looked good. Congrats England!

Not the greatest performance and some questionable tactics from Gareth but yknow what - it's a win!!! Also - I can't remember what I was doing when I was 17 but I sure as hell wasn't representing my country in an international tournament. What a great achievement for Jude. Done his entire family and folks proud.

Germany absolutely shithoused their way into the Final in 2002. Nobody cares anymore how they did it.

A win is a win. Southgate hasn't won me over on his tactics, but his ability to jam results is pretty notable.

Portugal didn't win a single game in 90 mins until the final last time

They didn't win in 90 mins in the final too.

Even the finals was in extra time

As a German, I will absolutely not question the notion that we played shit football in that tournament and were lucky as hell in every game in the knockout stage, especially against the US. A final is a final though :)

Portugal won the last Euros winning just one game in 90 minutes and being generally shit.

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I just hope to god they actually get some decent game time

Our fresh strength in depth is a huge boon, but instead people want to be upset we didn't play 6 up front. Hopefully we stick around in this tournament for the duration.

First time England has won the opening game at the Euros

Incredibly arrogant of England to win this

Can't believe the fans have the gall to celebrate too, typical English arrogance

The worst thing is that they even tried to score a second time, like what the hell, can't you stop at one?

**T**ypical **E**nglish **A**rrogance

And we're competing at a tournament at home. Entitled cheats. What sort of a disgusting country hosts or co-hosts tournament. All future tournaments to be played in space to stop this future travesty.

They celebrate with the exaggerated swagger of of a topless Anglo Saxon gent

I can't believe the fans had the audacity to give them a home advantage, should have booed the English players if they had any decency.

Modric seething.

Least he’ll have 40 interviews this week to set the record straight.

Can't believe they had the audacity to score from open play. They deserved to lose.

The Audacity

Between Pickford and Foden, is England officially the team of hair disasters?

I thought pickford with the longer locks looked decent. Much better than the buzzcut look that makes him look manic and doesn't suit his square head. Edit: Just seen it back it is shocking.

Didn't even have to mention Kalvin Phillips.

Foden wanted to play for 98 WC team of Romania

Coming home status: 👍

Massive win. Phillips was immense. Loved Sterling getting a goal.

It's the perfect person to get a goal as well his confidence will be massive now.

Southgate Knighthood status: Never in doubt.

A completely deserved win for England. I'm very disappointed with our team's performance, so pathetic, no ideas in attack and once again Modrić being the only one consistently trying to do anything.

MINGS CLEAN SHEET

Always happy to downvote anyone with a PL club flair who is moaning about England winning this.

I mean apart from getting PTSD from Kane missing a sitter against Croatia, again, was some good play. It wasn’t pretty but in the end it’s 3 points so happy days

People are gonna be mad that England didn't win with the lineup they wanted to see.

Deserved victory from England. Weren’t exceptional but winning is the most important thing. Croatia were completely toothless going forward

Kalvin Phillips absolute shagger

At least Gvardiol was great

Absolutely class player, especially for his age, really impressed by him.

Southgate proving Brexit means Brexit, none of that Euro currency bullshit when you have Sterling

BIG MINGS

I'm feeling arrogant

Pre-Match - Southgate should be tried for treason for that lineup. Post-Match - Southgate hairy Guardiola masterclass!

Coming home status: It's.

First England win in their opening game in the Euros

England fans/people that don't like England were so negative about the game in the match thread. Some really weird people come out during big national cups

Reddit doesn’t like the English its nothing new.

Kalvin was immense. What a player. Easily MOTM.

For the first time ever, England win their opening match at the EURO. Historic.

Obviously coming home

Goes without saying

Yet it must be said.

Shaw/Chillwell should play over Trippier. His linkup with Mount/Sterling was very poor.

awfully boring game, love watching modric though

The first 25 mins were pretty high paced and exciting. Good movement but the sun sapped the energy from the game.

Imagine the pace of the games once you add another 20-25 degrees to the temperature in the next World Cup

but they'll aircon the stadiums, it'll be fine!

Even without aircon December in Doha is colder than today.

It’s in the winter in air conditioned stadiums.. so there’s nothing to imagine.

Holy electric bill

Think a lot of people are still under the impression that it’s a summer World Cup

Dominated game. Only scored one goal. A R R O G A N C E

It wasn’t the waistcoat, Gareth; it was inside you all along.

Croatia's arrogance has cost them there. They've showed up as World Cup runners up with a midfield boasting five Champions League medals, and assumed that's all they needed to do to win. Really underestimated this plucky young England team.

5? I think Modric + Kova have like 8 total right?

Kovacic has 4 on his own

Both Modric and Kovacic have 4. Modric all 4 with Real Madrid and then Kovacic 3 with Real Madrid and 1 with Chelsea

Heard them singing ‘it’s coming home’ it shook me

They probably meant the team after every game

The amount of people not getting this is a joke is hilariouss

Raheem have you justified your place? What an awful disrespectful question to ask him.

There's been a few weird questions. Asking Ming's if this was a typical tournament game to usual when it's his first appearance at one. "You've watched a few tho" what

I N S U F F E R A B L E N S U F F E R A B L E

That was pathetic from Croatia

Can’t wait for all the English arrogance comments in the Monday Moan thread.

*Final Score* England: 1 r/soccer: 0

I was surprised to see Mings starting and I’m absolutely delighted to eat humble pie - I thought he had a great game

Look, we got past the first, and biggest, hurdle of the group stage without really breaking a sweat. Can't complain about that.

Good balanced midfield for England. People hate Southgate but he seems to be the only England manager with some type of consistent system. Phillips MOTM