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England were always the favourites to win this game, and ultimately the group, due to their player qualities and recent form, but they blew away the Czechs here.
Sterling opened the scoring early on, but throughout the game, England was the dominant force and took their time to pass and move with precision. Czech Republic couldn’t handle England’s play, and whilst they didn’t have players on England’s level, they would be disappointed with the manner of their defeat. It wasn’t just a loss – it was annihilation and punishment at the hands of England.
Captain Harry Kane also scored, and Czech player Kalas scored an own goal to wrap up an emphatic win at the English national stadium.
Jadon Sancho provided an assist for Sterling, and overall he put in a commanding performance. His displays in the Bundesliga made him a shoo-in for the side, and he rewarded manager Gareth Southgate’s faith perfectly.
Sterling’s first goal came after only a few minutes, in which he poked in a tap-in after a good cross from Sancho.
The second arrived from a penalty, which captain Kane dispatched with his usual efficiency.
Sterling came to the fore in the second half, since he latched onto two through balls to complete his hat-trick, and secure a fully-warranted man of the match rating.
At this point, the Czechs were done, down, and out, and the English secured dominion at this point.
It’s certain that only a catastrophe could cost England a place at Euro 2020, which is to be held across various cities in Europe.
And on this form, who knows? England may win a first European Championship in the near future. Though false dawns have occurred before, especially in the run-up to the 2016 Euros, one cannot help but be happy.
There are still nine games to go, but very few can bet against England qualifying for the 2020 European Championships, being one of the prime favourites for the competition.
The Pound Sterling:
The British currency is called the pound sterling, and Raheem Sterling put in a performance as valuable as the country’s legal tender.
He has been called out on some occasions, due to his lack of goals whilst playing for England. But he surely answered the critics tonight, and he took his time to prove he is world-class.
His performances for Manchester City, in which he scored the winning penalty in the League Cup, and which also could culminate in a second successive Premier League title amongst other trophies, have elevated him to the top level.
This game, and against weak opponents granted, has shown he can translate this to the international stage.
With the UEFA Nations League finals approaching, and seemingly “easy” qualification from the current qualifying group, Sterling can be minted (pun intended) for months or years to come.
All of this comes in the backdrop of his exposition of racism at a game at Chelsea earlier in the season, and coverage last year of his gun tattoo, which has deep and personal relevance for him.
All credit must go to Sterling, who is at the top of his game, and at the top of the tree, despite immense criticism of him over the past year.
It is utter vindication that those with vile views, akin to the Chelsea fan who racially abused him, and the tabloid reporting, cannot bring him or anybody else down.
Sterling, surely now is a £200m-plus player in value, and this could get higher and higher in coming years.
England look dangerous:
England, as the progenitors of association football, has won the World Cup in its history. But other than this it has flattered to deceive in the big tournaments. The country has always produced top-level players, and certainly Sterling and Kane are two of such at the moment.
But then others, especially with the recent World Cup semi-final, and Nations League triumphs over Spain and Croatia, would be taking note.
Moreover, many of the England side play for the big six English club sides, and four of them are in the Champions League quarter-finals. They also receive top guidance from Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino, amongst others, and this, in turn, aids their careers.
Manager Gareth Southgate was not a popular choice for the position, but England could potentially have the best Euros under his guidance since his noted performance and penalty miss in 1996. Back then, England was the host nation and reached the semis in a memorable game and defeat vs. Germany. To date, this is the furthest England has ever progressed in the competition, and they could do better if they sustain this level of performance.
England, of the major European nay global footballing countries, has underachieved in major tournaments for decades. This is despite holding many world-class players, and managers to boot. The teams of Shilton, Lineker, Barnes, Shearer, Owen, Rooney, Campbell, Ferdinand, Lampard, Gerrard, etc. couldn’t reach the heights, compared to their French, Spanish, or German counterparts and contemporaries. Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson stood amongst the best football managers of all time. Even managers such as Roy Hodgson, Terry Venables, and Glenn Hoddle, had various achievements at managerial level, despite not succeeding fully when managing England.
Many of the aforementioned players attained true heights at club level, and often amongst French, Spanish, and German internationals who won World Cups and European Championships alike.
Maybe this time can be different, and overall England is at a high at this current period.
Player ratings:
No player had a bad game, though the man of the match is self-evident.
Raheem Sterling finally melded his club and international form in fine style.
However, his teammates and countrymen also shone:
Pickford - 7. Didn't have much to do, but was capable throughout.
Walker - 8. Provided good width throughout and is fast emerging as a world-class full-back.
Keane - 8. The Czech Republic didn't really trouble England much, and Keane aided in holding them at bay.
Maguire - 8. Akin to Keane, was able in controlling the Czech threat.
Chilwell - 7. Like Walker, provided good width and held the line well.
Henderson - 7. Was steady in the middle of the park.
Dier - 7. Provided good cover and build-up for Alli and the other forward players.
Alli - 7. Ensured the forwards had ample service and creativity.
Sancho - 9. Was a highly accomplished performance, with a key assist for Sterling's first goal.
Kane - 7. Not the greatest performance from the captain, though he scored a penalty to add to the win.
Sterling - 10. A wondrous display from the Man City man. He's surely arrived now as a world-class talent.
Barkley - 6. Didn't have much to do, but largely due to the time he was introduced.
Rice - 6. Akin to Barkley, the game was won by the time he came on.
Hudson-Odoi - 6. As with his two sub teammates, he didn't much time to impose himself on the game.
Southgate - 9. Despite him not being a popular choice, he guided his country to their best World Cup showing since 1990. And with plenty of emerging talent, he is making England their most potent in the decades. Even the Golden Generation of the 2000s didn't do this, and Southgate must receive kudos for this.
