England equalled an unwanted record in their defeat to Iceland.
England equaled an unwanted 70-year record just days before Euro 2024 with a defeat to Iceland.
England’s final preparation match for the upcoming European Championship didn’t go according to plan as Gareth Southgate’s suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iceland on Friday at Wembley.
Iceland famously knocked England out of Euro 2016, but the underdogs didn’t manage to qualify for Euro 2024.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson put Iceland ahead after 12 minutes when he beat Aaron Ramsdale at his near post, before the visitors spurned a chance to double their lead in the second half when they hit England on the counter.
England looked sluggish and disjointed and were unable to muster many clear chances.
The one clear opportunity the Three Lions did create came from a superb Cole Palmer cross, but Harry Kane somehow managed to volley the ball over the crossbar from close range.
Even if England had turned the game around, they would have still equalled a record that has stood for 70 years.
Southgate’s side have now conceded the first goal in three consecutive matches at Wembley for the first time since November 1954, after losing 1-0 to Brazil in March before conceding the first goal in a 2-2 draw with Belgium days later.
There were a few boos from the crowd at Wembley as the players left the field at half-time, and they were much louder at the final whistle.
England had more joy in front of goal on Monday when they beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 at St James’ Park.
All of England’s goals came in the second half after a sluggish first 45, a similar story to how they started on Friday evening at Wembley.
On social media, plenty of fans argued that one star omitted from the 26-man England squad this week could have provided a much-needed spark.
There was an injury scare when John Stones didn’t emerge for the second half after appearing to take a knock in the opening moments, but after the game Southgate played down fears of an injury.
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