Switzerland 0-2 England

After the dull friendly with Norway, England began their road to UEFA Euro 2016 away to World Cup quarter-finalists Switzerland. Despite Switzerland’s full-strength squad, England’s new diamond formation successfully lessened The Swiss’ contribution. Two Danny Welbeck goals and some magnificent defending won the match.

The Three Lions started very brightly and although possession was quite equal in the first half, England did create many more chances than their opponents, who were somewhat wasteful when in England’s penalty area. Despite a bright brght    bright start by both teams, Switzerland’s Mehemdi handed England the first real chance of the game. game     gam  As he gave the ball away, Jordan Henderson played a pass up field to Danny Welbeck. Welbeck stuck his foot around Stevie Von Bergen to nudge the ball into his own path. The Arsenal man accelerated and and and   and got himself into the box ready to either shoot or pass. Disappointingly his pass was inches to far in front of Raheem Sterling who stretched but couldn’t get to the ball. The chance went begging.

The Swiss’ chance a few moments later was even better. As Phil Jones was intercepted by Bayern’s Xherdan Shaqiri, he played Haris Seferović in. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker got the ball onto his favoured left foot. His shot from close range was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Joe Hart’s right shin shin shi   shin. In the dying minutes of the first half, Phil Jones had the chance to break the deadlock. As a whipped Wayne Rooney corner came to Jones, his header went on target and downwards. Goalkeeper     goalkeeper     Yann Sommer saved well, despite an unconvincing save from Rooney a moment prior. The half ended without a goal.

‘La Nati’ began the second period well and forced a great save from Joe Hart early on. As Shaqiri collected the ball in the middle of the park, he took the ball out to Granit Xhaka on the left wing. Xhaka played a short chip to Seferović, whose volley was well parried by Hart. Next, a Phil Jones clearance was claimed then given away by Valon Behrami. Wayne Rooney began a fast counter with Steling to his left and Welbeck venturing into the Swiss area on his right. Rooney passed to Sterling who tiptoed into the box. Sterling’s cross to Welbeck was performed with sublime accuracy. Welbeck met the ball to tap it home in the inside right netting. England led.

The greatest chance of the night fell to Switzerland. As Seferović cut open England’s defence with a pass to Josep Drmić, the forward rounded Hart to face an open goal. His tucked finish was though met by a fantastic Gary Cahill sliding block. Switzerland were taking shape and exploiting space that England simply weren’t picking up. Ricardo Rodriguez’s cross was cut out by Gary Cahill deep into stoppage time. Sterling, still full of energy, sprinted down the right wing one more time. He dummied, then passed to substitute Lambert, who tucked the ball into Welbeck’s path. Welbeck waited, and then scored with a pass into net. The Three Lions had successfully taken a big step to the top of the group, and asserted themselves as favourites to win it.