England secured a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their warm-up game before Euro 2024 at St James’ Park. The match started off frustratingly for the much-changed Three Lions side, with Bosnia and Herzegovina putting up a strong defense. However, Cole Palmer managed to break the deadlock with a penalty in the 60th minute. The St James’ Park crowd then witnessed late goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane, solidifying England’s win.
While the performance in the first 60 minutes was lackluster, England manager Gareth Southgate is not overly concerned. He hopes to see more fluidity in their final warm-up game against Iceland before heading to Germany for the Euros. England is considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, having reached the latter stages of the last three major tournaments, including the final of the last Euros where they were defeated by Italy.
One standout performer for England was Eberechi Eze. Following his impressive form at the end of the season for Crystal Palace, it was no surprise to see him shine under the St James’ Park lights. Eze’s pace and direct dribbling threatened Bosnia and Herzegovina every time he had possession of the ball. His performance was crucial for his Euros hopes as well as for Southgate, as the left-wing position is open following Marcus Rashford’s surprising omission from the squad.
Cole Palmer also had a sensational performance, scoring his first goal for England with a penalty. His ability to convert penalties has been proven throughout the season, as he converted all nine he took for Chelsea in the Premier League. Palmer’s performance further solidified his place in the squad for Euro 2024.
However, the challenge for Palmer lies in securing a spot in the team once Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden return to international duty. Both players have had successful seasons and are expected to be key players for England. Another player who missed out on an opportunity to impress against Bosnia and Herzegovina was Marc Guehi. With Harry Maguire’s fitness in question, Guehi had a chance to stake a claim in the Euros team but failed to make a significant impact.
On the other hand, Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker, remained on the bench throughout the game. Despite his quality and goal-scoring ability, there is a possibility that he may not make it to the Euros with Harry Kane’s return from injury. Ollie Watkins, who started against Bosnia and Herzegovina, had a prolific season, scoring 19 goals and providing numerous assists. This puts Toney’s chances of making the squad at risk.
In conclusion, England’s victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina provided a platform for players like Eze and Palmer to shine. However, the competition for positions in the squad remains fierce, with Bellingham, Foden, and Kane’s return expected to shake up the team dynamics. Southgate will be looking for improved performances in their final warm-up game against Iceland before making final decisions on his squad for Euro 2024.