England’s fragility still a concern despite win over Finland | OneFootball

Goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice ensured England bounced back from the defeat to Greece by beating Finland 3-1, but the fragility that was on show in their loss earlier in the week was present once again.

England were deserved winners in Helsinki but their openness and the easiness in which Finland were able to get joy on the counter-attack is a big concern. It was a vulnerability which proved costly against Greece and could have been so again, had Frenrik Jensen not missed a sitter at 1-0.

But a well worked opener which saw Angel Gomes slide in Jack Grealish set England on the way to victory, before Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled his side’s advantage with a superb free-kick. Declan Rice then added a third, bursting into the box to tap in Ollie Watkins’ cross.

Victory became all the more important given the need for a response after their loss at Wembley, and while there were vulnerabilities at the back, the team looked much more comfortable with the ball in their more conventional system, with Harry Kane back in the team following injury to lead the line.

Finland’s late headed goal from a corner through Arttu Hoskonen, however, served to highlight the weaknesses that have arisen of late. The Three Lions look uncertain at the back and have not defended their box well enough, and have too often poorly given the ball away while looking ill-prepared to deal with the resulting counter-attacks.

England were widely criticised for their approach at the Euros despite making the final, with calls for now departed manager Gareth Southgate to play a more attacking style of play.

But the fragility England are showing of late was rarely a problem under Southgate, and while the attack did enough to secure victory over Finland, they cannot afford to be as vulnerable as they have been when they go into a major tournament.

Thankfully there is a long way to go before the next World Cup, and the FA still have a decision to make on whether it will be interim boss Lee Carsley who takes them into the tournament or another candidate instead.

Victory over Finland has taken the pressure off the team but England’s current shortcomings cannot be ignored.

FEATURED IMAGE: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images VIA ONE FOOTBALL