San Marino vs England: England’s Qualifying Group So Far
Is it a sure win for England at tomorrow’s game against San Marino? SillySeason takes a look into how England are faring so far. It’s international break in the football calendar and all eyes turn to England and their qualifiers for next summer’s European Championships.
Roy Hodgson‘s men have two games coming up, one on Saturday evening which is then followed by one on Tuesday.
Up first is a trip to lowly San Marino before they return to Wembley to host Switzerland.
So with the two games coming up and then a further two to be played in October, SillySeason thought they’d take a look into how England have done so far in the qualifiers for next year’s competition.
Lets take a look into how England are faring so far.
Game-Week 1: Switzerland 0-2 England
England started their qualifiers with an away trip to Switzerland back in September 2014 and thanks to a brace from Arsenal‘s Danny Welbeck, they came home with all three points.
It was seen as the trickiest match for Hodgson‘s men but two second-half goals from the striker gave them the perfect start to the qualifying campaign.
Game-Week 2: England 5-0 San Marino
A month after starting their group with an away win, England were at home next against San Marino. As expected, it was a home win on a comfortable evening at Wembley.
Phil Jagielka gave The Three Lions the lead before a Wayne Rooney penalty just before half-time doubled the lead.
Goals in the second half from Danny Welbeck, Andros Townsend and an own-goal from Alessandro Della Valle made it six from six for England.
Game-Week 3: Estonia 0-1 England
Just three days after thrashing San Marino, England took at trip to Estonia for their third match of the group stage and once again they left celebrating all three points.
It was a Wayne Rooney free-kick that got the job done away from home and secured Hodgson‘s third win from three qualifiers. Three games, three wins, eight scored, none conceded. So far so good for Hodgson and co.
Game-Week 4: England 3-1 Slovenia
One month after picking up two wins, England had another qualifier and this time it was at home against Slovenia.
Sadly for The Three Lions they conceded their first goal when Jordan Henderson scored in the wrong net, but luckily on the night it didn’t matter as England strolled to a 3-1 victory.
Rooney netted another, whilst Welbeck also got himself a brace.
Game-Week 5: England 4-0 Lithuania
The next European qualifier came in March 2015 and England hosted Lithuania and scored four past them without reply making it five wins from five.
Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane were all on the score-sheet and made it 15 points out of 15 for Hodgson.
Game-Week 6: Slovenia 2-3 England
The trickiest game so far for England came in the last game-week which was back in June, but two wonder-goals from Jack Wilshere ensured the winning streak would continue.
After losing 1-0 at the interval, England were facing their first dropped points of the qualifying campaign before Arsenal‘s Wilshere slammed home a thunderbolt to tie the game up.
It then looked like the same man had won the game with another rocket after 73 minutes, but once Slovenia scored in the 84th minute to make it 2-2.
However, England still had the last laugh when Wayne Rooney slotted home four minutes from time to make it 3-2 and compete the victory for Hodgson‘s side.
So that’s how England have coped so far in their qualifying group and with San Marino up next, they should really be making it seven wins from seven.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
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