A much-improved second-half performance saw England secure a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening Euro 2024 warm-up match at St James’ Park.
An England line-up likely to be very different from the one that will take to the field against Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener in 13 days’ time has struggled to create new Bosnia boss Sergej Barbarez’s defensive formation , before halftime.
Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer had been two of the few bright spots for Gareth Southgate so far, but the Three Lions re-emerged from the dressing room full of energy – and finally put their opponents to the sword.
Palmer scored a deserved opener, his first in England colours, on the hour mark after VAR spotted a shirt shot on Ezri Konsa in the box, before Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a second exquisite with a cushioned volley into the far corner.
Harry Kane, coming on moments after Palmer’s opener, added a late third goal with a typical poacher’s finish, celebrating his 90th England cap by heading home from a corner to give the hosts a margin of victory which slightly flattered their performance.
How England improved to dismantle defensive Bosnia
Southgate’s line-up, four days before he selected his last 26 to take to Germany, was experimental – but the England manager’s pre-match message was clear. Show you can play our way.
England were largely determined to play through to thirds from the start but struggled to create a five-man Bosnian backline, successfully set up to frustrate their hosts.
England’s best moment of the first half was architected by Palmer, who turned with his first touch and sent Watkins into the box with his second before the striker was denied by Nikola Vasilj at his first post.
The usual lack of intensity in pre-tournament friendlies was evident when Marc Guehi presented Bosnia’s best chance to Haris Hajradinović with a poor pass, which the Kasimpasa striker saw deflected 20 yards out.
England were severely lacking pace, but Southgate remained confident his starting XI could provide it after half-time and resisted the chance to make changes at the break.
Cole Palmer’s penalty was his first goal for England
He was rewarded with 45 minutes of almost one-way traffic from him, which could have scored an instant opener when Watkins headed in from a corner.
Palmer saw a shot blocked by another quick move before being presented with the perfect opportunity to score a first goal for England once VAR spotted a shirt pull on Konsa in a corner – and he continued his excellent form from the spot beating Vasilj from 12 meters.
Kane was soon introduced alongside a number of other more experienced England players, with the regular England captain going wayward twice before Alexander-Arnold fired in England’s second goal.
The Liverpool man had started in central midfield before moving to right-back, and appeared at the far post to cushion a superb volley towards goal from a tight angle from Jack Grealish’s cross.
That cushion was an accurate reflection of England’s improvement, but Kane’s third showed his intimidating power in attack.
Jarrod Bowen was denied a first international goal when his effort from a short corner was blocked by Konsa, but Kane made no mistake as he palmed away the loose ball to score his 63rd goal in England colours.
Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrate England’s victory
Few questions were answered during England’s evening, but the performances of Eze and Palmer did little to detract from their hopes of a place in Germany – with one last chance to impress against Iceland at Wembley on Friday.
Key dates for England
All times BST
Friday June 7 – International friendly match, England v Iceland at Wembley, kick-off 7:45 p.m.
Friday June 7 – Final squad of 26 players submitted to UEFA
Saturday June 8 – Final squad of 26 players announced
Monday June 10 – The England team flies to Germany
Saturday June 16 – Serbia vs England, Gelsenkirchen, kick-off at 8 p.m.
Thursday June 20 – Denmark vs England, Frankfurt, kick-off at 5 p.m.
Tuesday June 25 – England vs Slovenia, kick-off at 8 p.m.
