It should have been a foregone conclusion: England were down 1-0 and playing like utter dogshit. Harry Maguire was turning the ball over nearly every time he touched it and compounding his errors in passing with even crazier errors in tackling. Germany were having a field day at his expense and while I generally enjoy watching a Manchester United player struggle, Maguire was having such a bad day that I started feeling sorry for him. No one should ever have to feel sorry for a Manchester United player.
Down 1-0 Gareth Southgate made a crucial substitution: bringing on Bukayo Saka and then – in what must have been a moment of inspiration, playing him in his correct position, on the right side of the attack.
Germany scored an incredible goal by Havertz just a minute after the subs, he curled it in deliciously from the top of the box. But that goal didn’t seem to sway England, instead that’s when Saka just got started. Working on the right side, he had a nice little one-two with Reece James, made a run and freed space for James to have the time he needed to put in a cross. The ball didn’t find its intended target but Shaw was wide open at the back of the box and capitalized on his fortune.
Now at 2-1, England showed some belief. Saka picked up the ball and drove at the German defense, one, two, three players all fell as he breezed past them. He spotted Mason Mount and played a perfect ball to feet. Mount took the snap shot and scored to make it 2-2.
Saka wasn’t quite done. Again he drove at the German defense and again he shredded their midfield. This time he found Jude Bellingham and played the ball to him in the box. Bellingham was fouled, VAR told the referee to go have a look, and Harry Kane scored the penalty.
Germany would equalize late on after Nick Pope gifted Havertz an easy goal, spilling an easy shot he should have saved.
After the game, the BBC Football Daily podcast didn’t even mention Saka and gave all of the credit to Jude Bellingham, which is hilarious. They are such shitheads. This is an actual fact, their heads are made of shit. But not human shit, dog shit. A dog that ate shit and then shit that shit. That’s the kind of shit that they are.
If England are going to progress in the World Cup they need to do two things: drop Harry Maguire and start Bukayo Saka on the right side of the forward line. If not, then expect some pretty embarrassing results and a group stage exit at Qatar.
Not only BBC, after the match I read most of the English newspapers online. Seems like they all are shitheads.
lol
The Guardian podcast had Lucy Ward on and she was very realistic about Bellingham and they all at least gave some credit to Saka but man they really don’t seem to like Arsenal.
Would you say Bellingham is in general over, under, or evenly rated?
I think he’s a fine player. I just think that most of the reaction to this game is because the Brits don’t watch Bundesliga. Also, it’s annoying that he got all the credit when it was obvious to most observers that Saka changed the game.
Finally one for Saka. Watched the replay and IT WAS Saka who literally turned the game on it’s head. Only thing, Saka should develop a nose to get the ball into the net like the Smith Rowe
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/bykayo-saka-england-germany-southgate-28090631
True, he did have a big chance with that one-on-one but I thought his shot was well placed. Keeper just made an even better save. It happens. I would bet the house that Saka is aware and is working on his finishing, putting in extra time, after every practice session.
It’s a weird one with Jude Bellingham, I think he’s quality, however, his quality didn’t really do much for England in either of the two games before the substitutions against Germany.
I hate to say it but the fluidity through middle of the park Calvin Philips and even Jordan Henderson has dipped since Bellingham’s promotion.
Also, I’m wondering (hoping) if Southgate has been experimenting and giving certain players a last chance at the first 11 (Maguire, Foden) as I’m still utterly baffled at him playing Saka at left wing back v Italy.
If Xhaka cam string together the buildup to Odegaard and Saka and they work it to Jesus, and if Saka can play like he just did against S%-$, those NLD points are in the bag for us.
Saka – what a player – and still only 21!
No injuries + a bit more of the ball in the back of the net for him = happy days for the mighty Arsenal.