England national team: A better goalkeeper would have kept them in the game

England’s unable to reach the same heights as they did previously and wave their chances of consecutive Nations League finals goodbye.

After five matchdays played in the UEFA Nations League, England watched their chances of a second Nations League evaporate thanks to a 2-0 defeat by the hands of Belgium, Group A2’s leaders.

The Three Lions’ five played saw them win two, draw one, and lose two. They end in third place on seven points, three behind Denmark.

The Red Devils, who are also the top-ranked team in the world, score two early goals in the first half of the match. Youri Tielemans supplied the opener of the game with a shot from outside the big box inside the first 10 minutes of the game.

Then came the moment of the match about three minutes later, Dries Mertens sublime free-kick, which gave the Belgians enough room to see the game out and allow England to have all the possession — possession which they could do nothing with.

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The English were far from bad and were wasteful in front of goal. They owned 55% the ball possession. Recorded more passes with 588 compared to Belgium’s 487.

Harry Kane’s charges upfront saw him and co. take an extensive amount of 16 shots at goal with only three hitting the target. The group leaders only needed eight chances to secure their two goals and three shots on target.

England’s best player was the midfielder who took so long to break into the starting XI and into Gareth Southgate’s squad, that’s none other than Jack Grealish. The Aston Villa man really played out of his skin applying his top attributes with near perfection.

Drawing fouls, getting stuck into challenges, linking the defence with the attack, creating play, and taking shots at goal. However, still to no affect.

Yes, all of the Lions at the top of the pitch need to answer why they could do nothing with more of the ball but its the man in the last line of defence that needs to be questioned even more. Jordan Pickford should be doing far better in between the sticks as the national side’s first-choice stopper.

A better and taller keeper would have done the job

The goals scored by Belgium against England was up to the keeper and his quality. One through open play from 20-yards out that took the slightest of deflection but continued on the same/similar parth it was always going.

The English stopper was not caught on his wrong foot and dived in time to stop the ball. He was literally a finger short of reaching it.

The Dries’ free-kick goal. Taking nothing away from its quality, it should have certainly been dealt with at that hight. He was able to lift it over a wall consisting of Mings, Dyer, Kane, and Trippier and beat Pickford almost waist height. Goalkeepers are normally stopping those type of shots. If it is not in the 90 (top corner or bottom corner) it is there to be saved.

At 1,85m short, his small stature and low reach possess little threat to strikers. Banging shot after shot at him is the plan and yes, you are bound to get one or two by him. One of five shots is always going to go past him. Law of average for a short shot-stopper.

Nick Pope and Dead Henderson kept a clean sheet together on Thursday should have seen either of them start this one. More Pope than Henderson.

Nick Pope stands  @1,91cm. Him just being taller and longer than Jordan, scientifically and physically save the shots he couldn’t on Sunday night. Gareth Southgate needs to make changes and especially with his choice for the number 1 spot.