Hands up who thought England would beat Spain at Wembley? Liars. Not only did the expected massacre fail to materialize but England managed to grab the only goal of the game and pull of the unlikeliest of victories. This writer who had forecast England’s destruction is shoveling down humble pie as I type.
A strange mood pervaded the watching public in the immediate aftermath of the game. The majority were torn between falling into the classic trap of over hyping the result and denigrating an admirable victory. On one hand we had just beaten the reigning world and European champions yet the result had a smash and grab feel about it, particularly when you remember how inept England were in possession. People will rightly point out that when you have most of your first team members missing for one reason or another then all that can really matter is the result. To beat Spain’s strongest team and a keep a clean sheet in the process is a remarkable achievement, and the confidence gained should stop England falling into a pit of helplessness. Yet aside from the confidence gathered it is difficult to know what England have gained.
The English players put in a display of valiance, courage and toil, all values befitting remembrance weekend. However these qualities should be taken for granted when playing for England. Down the years the three lions have put in plenty of Herculean efforts that have often ended in penalty heartbreak. The prospect of playing Spain may have spurred the players to give their all on Saturday but make no mistake Capello will drop most of the names who started this game once the more established members are eligible.
Lescott and Jagielka were expected to struggle but acquitted themselves brilliantly however one game does not make them international standard defenders, and the Phil Jones experiment produced woeful results but luckily it went unpunished. Walcott was anonymous yet again and Darren Bent was having as much impact on the game as me until he headed on the post.
In the midst of all this was a truly outstanding display by Scotty Parker. He was never going match the Spanish midfields technical ability but his ferocious work rate and willingness to run through brick walls enabled him to stifle and snuff out any potential dangers.
Ironically it was Lampard who grabbed the winner. Though he was diligent in his defensive work it was telling that he was substituted after 60 minutes. He showed he still has the ability to come alive in the box but his legs are going fast and the most foolish thing would be to reinstate him permanently in the starting XI.
The biggest winner was Capello. Criminally derided as a tactical dunce in some quarters he set his depleted team up perfectly to face the Spanish armada. If there is one thing an Italian knows it is how to stifle superior opposition. He promised his side would put in a strong performance and he was vindicated in the most perfect way. The Italian now must to use the momentum of this result (if not the performance) and make it last until next summer.
Spain for their part were unimpressive by their standards. They treated the first half like an exhibition and only when England had the temerity to take the lead did they actually try and score a goal. Fabregas twice failed to capitalize by opting to square instead of shoot and then later scuffing a first time finish wide. Villa was desperately unluckily to hit the post with a breathtaking effort but should have done much better earlier when he contrived to shoot wide after rounding Hart. Del Bosque will be disappointed at his teams profligacy but has the luxury of chalking this one off as a friendly.
So yes England have beaten Spain in a performance full of English spirit,underpinned by Italian tactical nous and completed via our greatest strength: prowess from dead ball situations. Not the most convincing victory (it was hilarious to hear the excitable Clive Tyldesley exclaim England had their swag back about ten seconds after Lampard scored) but an excellent one nonetheless. Perhaps it confirmed what we always suspected; England are still capable of putting in a performance once you take away the expectation. So on that note they have not got a chance in hell of winning Euro 2012.
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