What a strange evening. It started brightly, with a dismal 0-0 draw suggesting that the competition was almost over from the start for both Croatia and Switzerland. Then the big event started and for most of the first half (and the second, for that matter) everything was as you’d expect… cagey, with neither defence opening up much at all. Ledley King provided the perfect response to the critics, his selection justified with Thierry Henry’s every despairing lunge. Also the pressure on Zidane was just sufficient to cut off the supply to Trezeguet. Similarly, the French defence subdued Owen well and were realising the tactical usefulness of heating up Rooney’s fiery temper.
The goal, while marginally against the run of play, was fully deserved. Our defence had confined the French threat to the midfield, while our few chances had been far more direct. How appropriate that a dangerous, floating free kick from Beckham should be nodded into the net by one of our most promising young players.
Beckham’s penalty miss was a shame, but not, it seemed, a disaster. By this point, our defence were shutting out the French attack completely, our midfield starting to gain more momentum and confidence in our passing moves. Oh for the gift of second sight.
Sven will, no doubt, be criticised in the morning papers for bringing on Emile Heskey. I certainly can’t understand his repeated use of Heskey, who frequently fails even to fulfil the simple “big target bloke at the front” role. However, the French equaliser came from a reckless act of Heskey’s own volition, so I think Eriksson deserves some slack. With Makelele about to run straight into two England defenders, there was no reason for Heskey to “help out” by bringing him down from behind. As with Beckham, you just don’t want to give Zidane a free-kick opportunity like that.
Despite the disappointment, 1-1 would be a fair result, and the match was all but over. So it was particularly galling, irritating and downright gobsmacking to watch Gerrard’s inept (and needless) backpass. David James probably used up his luck in staying on the pitch after hauling the goalbound Henry to the ground… somehow, Zidane was never going to miss that penalty.
What’s sad is that the match will be memorable for our comedy of errors in the last three minutes. I only hope the squad (including the coach) will draw strength from the performance of the previous ninety minutes, where we silenced, and led, the most feared team in the tournament. Based on that, we should be able to tear holes in Croatia and Switzerland. I only hope Sven has learned something about team selection.