The Three Lions have progressed to the round of 16 stages of the ongoing Euro 2020 competition after beating the Czech Republic 1 nil in their last group game to end up as group winners.
They’ll now wait to know their opponent in the next round which will be decided today after the teams in Group F, the group of death settle scores with each other. They’ll face the team that finishes second in Group F.
Regardless, I’d like to take a look at the performances of the Three Lions’ players in the competition and who has been the one producing the goods in terms of results.
The English team have scored just 2 goals at Euro 2020 in 1 nil wins against Croatia and the Czech Republic. It can be recalled that their game against Scotland ended in a barren draw.
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Ahead of the competition, all eyes were on the likes of Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho whilst very few had regard for Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling after his mixed season with the Citizens in the 2020/21 season.
The 26-year-old’s playing style has attracted criticism over the years and continues to at this present time. However, he is the one that English fans should be grateful to for the 2 goals that have been scored in the competition.
If there had been a bet that the English team would score just 2 goals in the group stages and all would come from Sterling ahead of a prolific Harry Kane, an exciting Jadon Sancho who hasn’t really been given a significant chance thus far, and a Marcus Rashford, not many would have honored the bet.
However, fast-forward to the KO stages of the ongoing Euros and this is the scenario at hand. Raheem Sterling has been the go-to man for the goals and has bailed England in this competition and therefore deserves more credit than he is getting.
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No player is outrightly perfect and Raheem Sterling has proven such occasionally with his decision-making on the pitch.
His mistakes and indecisions in the game against Scotland were called out but folks fail to give him the credit he rightfully deserves when he delivers the goods as he has been doing for the Three Lions at Euro 2020.
The fact is that Gareth Southgate’s team have scored twice and the expected names are nowhere to be found but a certain Raheem Sterling. Come on folks, do well to applaud him and give him the ovation he deserves.
It’s no more news that the Manchester City player has established himself as a key man for the Three Lions in this competition and we look forward to seeing how he copes in the knockout stages against a tougher opponent.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.