An English side boasting arguably some of the most talented
players in generations has crashed out of the UEFA Euro 2016, following a
round-of-16 defeat to minnows Iceland.
Roy Hodgson, the England manager, resigned immediately after
the match. The 68-year-old won just three of 11 games in major
tournament finals, despite good qualifying records. “I’m sorry it will have to end this way but these things
happen,” Hodgson said.
“I hope you will still be able to see an England team in a
final of a major tournament soon,” he added.
England seemed to be set for a barnstorming encounter on
Monday evening when captain Wayne Rooney struck home a clinical penalty in the
fourth minute of the game, after Raheem Sterling was fouled in the box by the
Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson.
But Iceland struck back within two minutes, Ragnar
Sigurdsson smashing home from close range after he had been put through on goal
by a header from a throw-in — the kind of move that was pinpointed as their
strength, in the buildup to the game.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson made sure of the points for the
underdogs in the 19th minute, firing home tam
ely but accurately from the edge
of the box to evade the outstretched fingers of Joe Hart.
England threw everything at the opposition in the second
half, including teenage sensation Marcus Rashford and leicester City hero jamie
Vardy, but it proved too little too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment