Mind the (expectation) gap

Well, that was predictable. A quarter-final match vs supposedly inferior opposition, started so brightly with an early lead taken. However, the consolidation from there to impose themselves on the game never came, and nervous, the team played below their potential & conceded the inevitable equaliser. A sudden red card handing the game back to them though, on a plate, surely?...  Cue a fraught 30 minutes of extra time and unnecessarily stressful penalty shootout, but ultimately passage to the semi-final was secured. 

But enough about Spain's convincing imitation of all things England....

Coming to the boil at just the right time, England faced an almost no-win situation. Heavily expected to win, and win comfortably - but we never do well in the face of any kind of expectation - we produced an identity defying performance of cohesion, pressing, ruthlessness and team harmony. And did exactly what the hyped-up media and country demanded - we strolled into the semi-final of a major tournament for the 2nd successive time. Such was the second half stroll, Southgate's selection for Wednesday was telegraphed as he slowly but surely took off his key players with victory assured. Birchy's grump was surgically removed with every glorious goal. 

Sure, the Ukrainian defending - particularly at set pieces - resembled a U11 game; "someone pick up the lad with the massive head!.... no you get him... ahh, bugger.."  But how many times have England been put in that situation and still contrived to under-achieve?  Not now under Mr Southgate, who is starting to look a lot smarter than all of us who haven't played professional and international football and have the highest level of coaching badges. Who'd have thought it?!

With the expectation gap firmly closed by such an assured performance, it's onto the business end of things. That 60,000 fans will be helping along the way, it starts to look highly promising. That Denmark started to just seemingly tire and fade a little as they hung on in the second half of their game vs the Czechs, it keeps looking promising! Maybe, just maybe, the emotional high of rebounding from the Erikson event is starting to fade. But they remain an excellent team, and for sure - the next two (I said it!) games will be England's hardest for sure. 

The game of the round was Italy vs Belgium - one that also lived up to expectations. Italy continue to look resplendent, and not only because everyone down to the physio is running around in Armani jackets. Mancini has unlocked a number of players - none more so than Insigne - who are great to watch and working as a team. Their subdued win vs Austria was forgotten as they attacked the ageing Belgium defence with real gusto. It was a classic game - worthy of the final - with so much talent on show. The soft-ish penalty awarded to Belgium came at the right time to set up a really entertaining 2nd half, which ultimately saw the exit of Senor Martinez. His one page managerial masterclass manual of 'pick KDB' proved to be slightly less effective (and more desperate!) on this occasion as said player was working on only one set of functioning ankle ligaments. I'm sure Pep will understand. 

And with that, it's onto Semi-Final predictions:

the semi-finals throw up a fascinating set of match-ups of fashionistas. Mancini's formal-dining pristine elegance versus the relaxed 2am Tapas restaurant chic of Luis Enrique....  it's hard to pick a winner. 

the second semi pits the 'casual Dad' look of Kasper Hjulmand vs everyone's favourite wedding guest Gareth, kicking the waistcoat to the side (that's soooo 2018) and rocking the knitted tie....  this one's an easier call, with Gaz clearly the last man standing when the lights come on. 

Oh, the actual games? 

• Italy v Spain: A classic match-up, but one you can't see past the Italians on. Spain have flattered and disappointed in equal measure. I see Italy's defence being the hardest obstacle they have encountered so far..... 2-0 win for Italy. 
• Denmark v England: Same again please. We've shown we can play with the intensity and energy needed for this game. As long as we do, and match the Dane's desire, we have more quality. Schmeichel to play an absolute blinder to take the match to extra-time though. England prevail 2-1.

Notable mentions:

• Some awful penalties from the Swiss. Seemingly finding new ways to twist the knife into Didier Deschamps after 5 of the sweetest pens you have ever seen vs France, the Swiss crumbled under pressure and missed more than they scored.
• Grealish to come back? Maybe Gareth was just running through the drinks order for the changing rooms at the end of the game, but it was a long embrace of fan-favourite Jack. I'd like to think it was a "now get us to the final" pep-talk, and Grealish is back in on Wednesday as Southgate shows off his impressive squad depth.
• Covid restrictions. Hard to imagine much social distancing going on, on Wednesday, if 60,000 fans get to see a winning goal! Maybe the rules are modified by BoJo last minute to simply 'no hugging of Billy Gilmour'...