The England men's team returned to Wembley for a friendly against Andorra, for the first time after their devastating loss against Italy.
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It has been quite a while since the final of the Euro 2020. In what was a devastating result for the Three Lions, Italy snatched the crown from them in an intense match at the Wembley Stadium. Three English players, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka failed to convert their spot-kicks as the match went to a penalty shootout. The three were then racially abused by a section of fans on social media, sparking a debate over the mentality of a few English fans. On Sunday, for the first time since the Euro final, the England men’s football team stepped onto the hallowed turf at Wembley in a friendly match against Andorra. This time, there were no abuses hurled. All there was, was love and support for the ones who made the nation proud in the summer.
The match ended in a comfortable 4-0 victory for the Three Lions over the visitors, and the fans gave their team a rousing send-off after the game. The icing on the cake was that one of the players that were racially abused 57 days ago when the Euro final took place, Bukayo Saka, scored the final goal of the match. Jesse Lingard scored a brace and skipper Harry Kane converted a penalty to cap off a perfect night for the Euro finalists.
Manager Gareth Southgate was applauded by the fans before and after the match. He seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere as he spent quite a while signing autographs after the game. The scenes were completely different from when Italy lifted the Euro Cup and the English were left distraught in their own backyard.
“It was lovely when I went out to do an interview before the game, the reception was really nice and that means a lot,” said the England boss.
“Not every England manager will have had that experience! We know we’ve got to keep winning matches and try to represent the country as we have done to keep that relationship going,” he added.
Southgate also said that he felt wonderful that the relationship between the fans and the team was so incredible, especially after being fractured for a while.
“We had that feeling when the players went out to warm up and the players and all the staff are hugely appreciative of it, given that relationship with the fans was quite fractured for a long time. It’s lovely that it feels more together,” the England manager said.
Saka, who scored the final goal of the game, was also celebrating his 20th birthday. Scoring at Wembley for his country and receiving the love and adulation of the fans is certainly a gift that he would cherish for life. It was also special for him since he was one of the players who was racially abused by a section of fans.
“It means everything knowing they support me. This is what I dream about, playing at Wembley in front of my family and this crowd and scoring on my 20th birthday,” the Arsenal player said.
