England's Dominant Victory Over Scotland: Breakdown of Lewis Dunk's Stellar Performance and Phil Foden's Exceptional Brilliance
Scotland's defeat to England in a friendly showcased Lewis Dunk's faultless performance, Jude Bellingham's impressive skills that even won over Scotland, a glimpse of Scotland's future challenges, and Phil Foden's vindication for manager Gareth Southgate
Faultless Dunk makes big impression
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Lewis Dunk impressed on only his second England appearance
Is it time for Harry Maguire to be replaced as a regular starter under Gareth Southgate? It seems so. While Maguire has shown moments of greatness for his country, it appears that his time as a first-choice player is coming to an end.
This conclusion is not solely based on Maguire's unfortunate and careless own goal, which nearly altered the outcome of an otherwise impressive evening for England. It is also influenced by the performance of Lewis Dunk, who stood out as a defender of international calibre in just his second appearance.
His progress at Brighton, initially with Graham Potter and later under Roberto De Zerbi, has been truly remarkable. Once considered solely a physical and defensive-minded center-back, excelling within his own penalty box, he has now transformed into a standout player on the grandest of stages, as if he has been performing at this level for a decade.
Now displaying incredible composure on the ball and demonstrating a remarkable aptitude for progressive passing, he dominated the Premier League last season. In fact, no other player in the league managed to successfully complete more passes than him. The impressive form he exhibited at Brighton seamlessly carried over to the international arena.
He displayed bravery and composure under pressure during his passing. However, what truly made him stand out was his exceptional defending skills. In the first half, the 31-year-old made two crucial clearances with his head, and later on, he made a perfectly timed and courageous block to deny Aaron Hickey on the 65th minute.
His outstanding performance has created a dilemma for Southgate. After displaying flawless skills in such a fiercely competitive setting, it is clear that he cannot be overlooked or removed from the team. This was not an easy match like playing Gibraltar at home. He seized the opportunity and fully deserves to retain his place in the starting lineup.
Bellingham is so good - even Scotland like him!
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Jude Bellingham celebrates with Phil Foden after scoring to make it 2-0
There was polite applause around Hampden Park for Jude Bellingham as he came off the pitch.
Applause. For an England player. From a Scotland home crowd. That is how good he was.
Bellingham showcased his superiority with a brilliant goal and an exceptional assist. Throughout the entire match, he proved to be the standout player on the field.
His assist was a display of his electrifying speed and remarkable skill, effortlessly bypassing two Scotland defenders. The precision of his through-ball, accurately finding Harry Kane, exemplified his composure and control.
A reminder of what's to come for Scotland
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It was a tough night for Scotland at Hampden Park
Leading their European Championship group with a perfect record of five wins out of five, Steve Clarke expressed his anticipation to gauge the progress his team had made against their rivals, particularly after England's draw with Ukraine on Saturday. However, the Scottish team disappointed their fervent supporters, as England presented them with a formidable challenge that will undoubtedly resemble the level of competition they will encounter in Germany next year.
Their place in Euro 2024 is nearly guaranteed after defeating Norway and Spain. This has given the Scottish team the confidence that they can make a significant impact on the major tournament.
Undoubtedly, Scotland is experiencing an upward trajectory. However, Jude Bellingham's exceptional performance ensured that England still holds the bragging rights, at least for the time being.
Foden provides vindication for Southgate
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Phil Foden celebrates with Kyle Walker
Gareth Southgate's response to Phil Foden's performance was marked by a wry smile. "I'm pleased for him above all else," he expressed. The manager found validation in his decision regarding Foden's position, as there had been ongoing debate. Prior to the game, Southgate had questioned Foden's suitability for a central role, and instead positioned the 23-year-old on the right-hand side, where he believed Foden would excel. This strategic move resulted in one of Foden's stellar performances for England.
He had the freedom to move into central areas, just like he did for his goal, where he skillfully redirected Kyle Walker's cross-shot into the net. However, he also caused trouble from the flanks, particularly with a dangerous cross that resulted in the second goal.
Southgate had previously mentioned that he chose to play him on the flanks because of the defensive responsibilities associated with the No 10 position, so it was noteworthy to hear him acknowledge and commend his defensive efforts. "He performed admirably in terms of defensive play," Southgate remarked.
There may be potential for Foden to play centrally in the future. However, at this time, it seems unnecessary to make that change. This is because he can excel when playing from the right, and England already has the formidable presence of Bellingham in the middle.
