NOT even Harry Kane made the line-up the last time England took on the Netherlands.
And there are only four survivors from that starting XI in 2019 preparing for Three Lions’ semi-final against the Dutch tomorrow.
Gareth Southgate’s side are into the final four of Euro 2024 after Saturday’s triumph over the Swiss.
Breel Embolo looked to have won it for Switzerland when he broke the deadlock with just 15 minutes left.
But Bukayo Saka’s brilliant effort levelled to send the game to extra-time but neither nation were able to find another breakthrough, leading to penalties.
With the help of his trusted waterbottle, Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick before Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, and Ivan Toney all converted.
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That left Trent Alexander-Arnold to step up to win it, and the Liverpool star made no mistake in securing a 5-3 shootout win.
The Dutch came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday to seal their place in the semis.
And they will be hoping for a similar result to the last time they played England in Dortmund on Wednesday.
That was a night when it was semi-final disappointment for the Three Lions after defensive lapses saw the Netherlands come from behind to reach the Nations League final.
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Marcus Rashford converted a penalty in the first half to give Southgate’s team the lead at the break.
But the unmarked Matthijs de Ligt, who had given the spot-kick away, made amends to head home an equaliser with just 17 minutes remaining, sending it to extra-time.
Jesse Lingard thought he had won it late on in normal time only for VAR to discover an offside.
But disaster struck once we reached the additional half hour as the Dutch capitalised on some dreadful defending.
Memphis Depay firstly caught centre-half John Stones in possession and proceeded to steal the ball and fire at goal.
Jordan Pickford produced a fine save, but right-back Kyle Walker was only able to bundle home the rebound for an OG under pressure from Quincy Promes.
And Netherlands’ third came in equally calamitous fashion as this time it was Ross Barkley who got caught out on the ball after receiving a pass from Stones.
Memphis nicked and went on to tee-up Promes to seal a 3-1 victory.
Pickford will definitely take his place in goal again against the Dutch tomorrow while both Stones and Walker are almost certain to be in defence.
The only other survivor from that starting XI five years ago was Declan Rice – and he is also virtually assured to retain his spot in midfield tomorrow.
But, amazingly, not one of the other seven men named in the team that evening in June 2019 are even in Southgate’s squad for this summer’s tournament.
Harry Maguire missed out due to injury while the left-back that night, Ben Chilwell, was left out despite returning from a long-term injury for Chelsea.
In front of that backline next to Rice was Fabian Delph and Ross Barkley, who last caps came against Switzerland in June 2019 and Bulgaria October 2019 respectively.
England player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs Switzerland
BUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.
The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.
But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.
To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.
And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.
England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.
Here’s how the players rated…
Jordan Pickford: 7
Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.
Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.
Kyle Walker: 6
Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.
John Stones: 6
Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.
Ezri Konsa: 6
Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.
Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.
Declan Rice: 7
Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.
It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break after
Bukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.
Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MAN
Did not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.
Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.
Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.
Phil Foden: 6
Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.
Harry Kane: 4
This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.
Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.
SUBS
Cole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7
One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.
Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6
First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.
Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6
Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.
Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7
It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7
Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.
Gareth Southgate: 4
The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.
Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.
Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.
Sancho, who looks set to leave Manchester United this summer, was deployed down the left last time out against the Dutch.
But the winger has not represented his country since October 2021 with Phil Foden currently being preferred there.
Down the other flank was Raheem Sterling, who for so long was a trusted lieutenant for Southgate.
However, the experienced Chelsea ace is another to have been left out for Euro 2024.
And instead of captain Kane, who only came on as substitute, starting upfront, Rashford was given that responsibility five years ago.
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Just days earlier Liverpool had beaten Tottenham in the Champions League final, leading to Southgate opting not to start anyone involved in that.
Rashford did manage our only goal, but his dramatic loss of form for Manchester United last term cost him his place in this current England squad.
Who is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?
EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.
Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.
But who is the sexiest?
Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.
And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.
In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.
While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.
But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
