Having kicked off Group D by beating World Cup semi-final foes Croatia and then been booed off following the goalless draw with rivals Scotland, Gareth Southgate’s already-qualified side put in a controlled display on Tuesday.
Raheem Sterling headed home fan favourite Jack Grealish’s cross to seal a narrow win against the Czechs at Wembley, where England will return next Tuesday for a last-16 tie against France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary.
Facing the runners-up in the so-called group of death looks a tough ask but there is a lot to be said for home comforts - plus facing underdogs at the Euros does not always go well, such as Iceland five years ago.
Follow the latest reaction and analysis from Wembley:
It was a really good performance from us. We played some really good football at times. With us already having qualified, we had more freedom to express ourselves. That showed in some of the football we played.
“The manager told me to go out and express myself. To play how I have played for my club all season. Sometimes that means driving at the opponents and I did that and got us up the pitch. It was a good cross from Jack for the goal and Raheem was in the right place at the right time again. I was up there but not quite tall enough.
“It is important to be here at Wembley for the round of 16. We have won here a lot. With our fans it is an extra man for us. I can only give my best when I am on the pitch.”
Euro 2020: England win to top the group but bigger Euro 2020 tests now await
England are at least staying home. Gareth Southgate’s side do enough in the game and the group to finish first, but whether they’ve shown enough to win the tournament is a much bigger question.
After the game Raheem Sterling was asked about the prospect of facing France, Germany, or Portugal in the next round of Euro 2020. He was quite relaxed about England’s chances but recognises that this is a step up in quality. He said:
It’s tournament football, it’s very different to being at your clubs. We just need to get to see games out a little bit better. We’re making good progress and now it’s time for a big challenge.”
England’s last-16 tie will be played on Tuesday night and they’ll face the runner up in Group F. That’s likely to be one of Germany, France, or Portugal who finish their group tomorrow.
That game will be the biggest test of Gareth Southgate’s tenure in charge. Win there and they’ll take some real momentum into the quarter-finals.
Euro 2020: England ditch shackles in perfect dress rehearsal for knockout stages
The stage might have been a near-death rubber. The changes of costume might have been enforced by medical protocol. But, for the first time at Euro 2020, England broke free from their cautious shackles, swapped apprehension for risk, and reaped the rewards in a fine dress rehearsal for the knockout stages:
Euro 2020: Reaction from matchwinner Raheem Sterling
There’s positives from the game. We kept the ball better today and found the gaps well, and got the result we needed. Saka and Grealish got in the pockets really well, turned and got on the ball and it’s brilliant to have players around you who can create goals. That’s part of tournament football, different players for different matches.”
Euro 2020: England top Group D as Raheem Sterling goal sees off Czech Republic
England progressed to the European Championship knockout phase as group winners thanks to Raheem Sterling’s early header in a 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic.
Having kicked off Group D by beating World Cup semi-final foes Croatia and then been booed off following the goalless draw with rivals Scotland Gareth Southgate’s already-qualified side put in a controlled display on Tuesday night to beat the Czech Republic:
It wasn’t the most thrilling second half but a professional performance from England overall. They have closed out the Croatia and Czech Republic games pretty well and over the course of three games haven’t conceded that many chances.
That will be the aim going forward. Score early, keep a clean sheet, go through to the next round.
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