England‘s final friendly before Euro 2016 selection ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Wembley, as a resilient Netherlands side came from behind to snatch victory. The result provides manager Roy Hodgson with plenty to ponder before he finalizes his squad on May 12th.
A Night of Experimentation at Wembley
In a clear move to assess his options, Roy Hodgson made eight changes to the starting XI that had secured a dramatic 3-2 win against Germany just days before. Only Adam Lallana, Chris Smalling, and Danny Rose retained their places. The most notable inclusion was Leicester City’s midfield dynamo, Danny Drinkwater, who was handed his senior international debut, partnering Eric Dier in the engine room. The attacking trio of Daniel Sturridge, Ross Barkley, and the in-form Jamie Vardy offered a glimpse of a potent alternative forward line.
The match began somberly with a heartfelt minute’s applause in memory of the late, great Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff, who passed away last week at the age of 68. Once the action commenced, the new-look England side took time to find its rhythm. The Netherlands, eager to impress after failing to qualify for the Euros, started brighter. AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen tested Fraser Forster with a low drive early on, and Georginio Wijnaldum forced the Southampton keeper into a smart save from a curling effort.
Vardy’s Momentum Continues Unabated
As the half progressed, England began to impose themselves. Daniel Sturridge had a shot blocked following good work from Danny Rose, John Stones saw a goal-bound effort bravely cleared, and Ross Barkley fired just wide from distance. The breakthrough arrived four minutes before the interval. A fluid move saw Adam Lallana find the overlapping Kyle Walker, whose first-time, low cross was perfectly met by the relentless Jamie Vardy, who tapped in for his second goal in two games.
Dutch Resilience and A Controversial Turn
England emerged for the second half with intent. Sturridge was denied by Dutch keeper Jeroen Zoet, and Lallana curled an effort wide after a powerful, driving run from Barkley. However, the momentum shifted decisively in the 50th minute. A slip from John Stones allowed Janssen a sight of goal, and while his shot was saved by Forster, the subsequent corner led to controversy. The ball struck the arm of Danny Rose inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Vincent Janssen stepped up and coolly sent Forster the wrong way, leveling the score.
Hodgson responded by introducing Theo Walcott, but it was Vardy who remained the most likely, stinging Zoet’s palms with a powerful drive from outside the box. Just as England pressed, they were hit with a sucker punch that decided the game. With 13 minutes remaining, Vincent Janssen challenged Phil Jagielka for a high ball, appearing to use his arm to nudge the defender off balance. The England players stopped, expecting a foul, but play was waved on. Janssen seized the opportunity, driving to the byline and cutting back a perfect cross for substitute Luciano Narsingh to tap home at the far post.
Post-Match Analysis and Euro 2016 Implications
Despite the introductions of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, England couldn’t find an equalizer, with Kane dragging their best late chance wide. The defeat, while in a friendly, raises questions. The experimental defense looked vulnerable at times, and the midfield of Drinkwater and Dier lacked the creative guile to consistently break down a disciplined Dutch unit.
As one Mcw pundit noted, “Friendlies are for learning, and Hodgson will have learned that while his squad has incredible depth in attack, there are still defensive questions to answer. The chemistry between a new-look back four will be a focus before the tournament.”
England’s Euro Preparations Hit a Snag as Netherlands Stage Wembley Comeback
While the result is a setback, the performance was not without its positives. Jamie Vardy’s incredible season shows no sign of slowing down, making him undroppable. Danny Drinkwater performed admirably on his debut, showing he can compete at this level. For Roy Hodgson, the challenge is now to blend this exciting attacking talent with defensive solidity ahead of a tough Euro 2016 group. The performance will give him crucial data, but the result is a reminder that there are no easy games at the international level.
What did you make of England’s performance? Who secured their place on the plane to France, and who has work to do? Share your thoughts with the Mcw community below.
