VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS ENGLAND VS NETHERLANDS 2016 DOWN
Played in the 2015/16 International season at Wembley, London
The Netherlands continue their fine record over England as they beat the Three Lions 2-1 at Wembley
Sequence of goals in England v Netherlands 1-2
England Holland 1-0 Jamie Vardy goal
England Holland 1-1 Janssen goal
England Netherlands 1-2 Narsingh goal
A bit of a setback for England and Roy Hodgson as they lost 2-1 to the Netherlands at Wembley. This was a Dutch side that had failed to qualify for a 24 team European championships, and England, on a high after a stunning 3-2 away win in Germany, were expected to triumph at Wembley despite their poor recent record against the Dutch- they last beat the Oranje back in 1996.
The last time England beat the Netherlands- Euro 1996
Only three of the side that had beaten Germany- Rose, Smalling and Lallana, started against the Dutch. Danny Drinkwater made his international debut, and what a night it was for the in-form Leicester medio, who was also named the Man of the Match after the game.
England took the lead through Drinkwater’s club teammate Jamie Vardy, who finished off a fantastic team goal. Great turn (a la the late Johan Cryuff) from Adam Lallana, who passed the ball to Kyle Walker, who in turn found Vardy unmarked.
England went into the interval leading 1-0. The pre-match statistics on the big screen revealed an interesting fact- England had never conceded a goal when John Stones was on the pitch. However that was to change just five minutes into the second half when the talented Everton star was caught dallying on the ball and from the ensuing move, the Netherlands earned a penalty which Vincent Janssen converted. Such errors are likely to be costly on a stage as big as the Euros and Roy Hodgson cut a frustrated face in the dugout following Stones’ mistake.
Stones is a curious conundrum- there’s no doubt that he’s talented and got a fantastic pass, maybe too talented for some of his teammates to understand his moves. However the youngster has lost his spot at Everton to Phil Jagielka (who curiously enough did not start either of England’s friendlies this month) and there are question marks being raised over his defensive abilities. Following the game, Hodgson lamented the lack of left-sided centrebacks in the English game, and said that he would love to have someone of the class of John Terry to partner Chris Smalling at the heart of defence, although it is doubtful where the 35 year old will want to return from retirement following his departure from the national setup.
Luciano Narsingh then went on to score the winner for the Dutch, althought England were rightly outraged because of the foul on Jagielka in the buildup to the goal. Harry Kane and Dele Alli were both brought on from the bench, but the Dutch hung on for a morale boosting win.
This was Hodgson’s final game to assess things before naming his 23 member squad for the Championships. Despite the loss, there is enough quality in their ranks, and those betting on England vs Wales will have the Three Lions as favourites for their group game in Lens. At the time of writing this article, the Welsh have won only one of their last five international games (that too against lowly Andorra), and depend far too much on the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to influence things.
Did this match help Roy’s selection headaches? We think it might just have- now it’s time to way till May 12 when he announces the 23 that will be boarding the plane to France.