“England showing spirit, but how can Maguire start?”
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Gareth Southgate got exactly what he wanted from England if spirit and desire were the measure, but exactly what he didn’t need from the hapless Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Nick Pope.
The manager was straining the patience of England fans when he declared the dismal defeat in Italy “a step in the right direction”, but his side showed character and looked like a team fighting for themselves and their manager in the tie fluctuating 3-3 with Germany in their last game before the World Cup in Qatar.
England were two down and staring at a third successive defeat before summoning not only their first open-play goal in 565 minutes courtesy of Luke Shaw, but two more from substitute Mason Mount and then Harry Kane’s penalty to put them the sight of a first victory. in six games.
Germany’s lead was largely down to Maguire after he clumsily fouled Jamal Musiala from an Ilkay Gundogan penalty and then lost possession and was out of position when the counter-attack visitor concluded with a sumptuous finish from Kai Havertz.
England’s defensive cause was not helped by a worrying hamstring injury that forced John Stones off in the first half and an increasingly nervous performance from Eric Dier.
2-0 seemed all around, but England found what has eluded them in recent months with three goals in that 12-minute flurry. It was evidence that this team has the strength and threat that Southgate believes it possesses.
England’s comeback bounced back at Wembley until Pope, known for his sure handling but very suspect with the ball at his feet, found his strongest quality deserting him as he fumbled Serge Gnabry’s routine shot at the feet of Havertz lying in wait with three minutes to go. .
The draw means this is England’s longest run without a win since April to June 1993, but the final whistle was cheered by those who had seen a thrilling second half and at least some optimism for hold on before the action began in Qatar.
Jude Bellingham showed his class once again, surely a certain World Cup starter now, while vibrant substitutes Mount and Bukayo Saka provided the kind of drive and positivity that makes England look like a different proposition from the recently viewed status.
England dug deep when they could have settled down. It would have been easy for the Chiefs to go down, but they battled with conviction to come so close to an unlikely victory.
In the context of the Nations League, with England already relegated, it was a dead rubber, but any encounter with Germany is important and the second half brought plenty of excitement.
That was the good part. It was the least Southgate wanted – and needed – after England fans faced him for the first time following defeats to Hungary at Molineux and Italy in Milan on Friday.
And then there’s the “but.” A very big one.
The big problem, and it won’t go away, is that Maguire showed exactly why he has been dropped by Manchester United and why so many questions are being asked about Southgate’s continued faith in him.
The former Leicester City defender was relatively solid until a heavy touch and poor pass gave Musiala the ball in dangerous territory. The defender was slow and heavy to react, and resorted to packing the forward in desperation.
The only surprise was that referee Danny Makkelie had to look at a TV screen to confirm what everyone saw in real time before pointing to the spot.
Two wrongs for the price of one, and Germany was delighted to take home the gift.
It got worse when Maguire started to chase the ball in an attempt to make amends, desperation ending the steal upfield and leaving the play behind as Germany went two up.
Southgate will publicly back him, but how can he seriously consider starting Maguire in England’s World Cup opener against Iran on November 21 on current form?
The England manager’s loyalty rests on the fact that Maguire has never let him down when it mattered. Can he really take this chance after what he saw here and what Maguire has shown over many months?
If he does, it appears to be a case of stubbornness or blind loyalty, as the TV cameras caught Maguire with the blank stare of a player looking for some semblance of past form but falling desperately short.
Maguire’s confidence is shattered, he is hopelessly out of shape and there is no suggestion – and on this evidence there shouldn’t be – that United manager Erik ten Hag will call on his services on too many occasions before the World Cup.
Southgate is standing by Maguire against all the evidence, but it is getting to the point where it does the player no good to stick with him.
A solid performance from Maguire could have reduced the noise surrounding his continued selection. This has done the exact opposite.
It was also a very bad night for goalkeeper Pope, who has put his chances of becoming deputy to Jordan Pickford at number one, now surely established as England’s undisputed number one, in serious jeopardy.
Pope looked nervous with the ball at his feet in Italy and was even more uncertain before marring his performance with this costly late error. He has had two opportunities to advance his claims and has not taken advantage of them.
England sent their fans home happy with what they had seen and that deserves to be called a step in the right direction after the misery and mediocrity of Hungary and Italy.
It will have lifted spirits, giving England a boost of confidence ahead of Qatar, but Southgate now has a big call on Maguire, who, at the moment, doesn’t look fit for the pressures of a World Cup campaign.
