Hmmm… England demonstrated their ability to score in this game. I’m not sure if Joe Cole’s shot was fluke or meant but it was a goal and we needed it. Steven Gerrard’s goal was impressive, his movement was particularly good in the build up.
But England showed their uncanny knack to ball watch, in my opinion, for the two goals. Sweden were hardly brilliant opposition. Resolute, direct and sometimes threatening Sweden exposed the England weakness in defence, which we regard as being strong. England’s back four are on paper as strong as any.
Major news though was the loss of Michael Owen. Now with only three strikers and Rooney evidently not playing at the best we hoped he would be it rests on our potentially fomidable midfield and a twelve year old striker to get us goals. I’m not ruling out Crouch, but he only seems to be able to deliver when the service to him is good. I’m sure that clever opposition will neutralise Beckham and therefore stop the service.
That said England face Ecuador in the last 16. And if Germany can put three past them then I’m sure England can win.