Introduction
It was a great disappointment for English football fans when their national team failed to qualify for the UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Euros. The tournament was held in the summer of 2021, and the absence of the Three Lions was noticeable. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind England’s failure to make it to the Euros.
The Group Stages
The qualification campaign for the Euros started in March 2019 with England being drawn into a group with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Kosovo. The Three Lions began their campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of the Czech Republic, which gave the fans hope that it would be an easy ride to the tournament.
However, the following game against Montenegro was a reality check. England were held to a 1-1 draw in a game that saw Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose subjected to racist abuse from the home crowd. The government and football organizations condemned the incident, but it affected the players and the team’s performance for the rest of the campaign.
England went on to win their next four games, including a 5-1 victory over Bulgaria. However, a shock 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic in October 2019 was a turning point in their campaign. It was their first defeat in a qualifier for 10 years, and it meant that they had to win their next game against Kosovo to secure their qualification. England won 4-0, but their performance was far from convincing.
The Final Stages
England finished top of their group with 21 points, seven points clear of the second-placed Czech Republic. It meant that they had secured a place in the playoffs, where they would face Bulgaria or Hungary in a one-off game at Wembley Stadium.
However, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the tournament, and the playoffs were postponed. They were eventually played in November 2020, and England faced Slovenia in the semi-finals. The game ended 0-0, and England won 3-1 on penalties. It was a lackluster performance from Gareth Southgate’s side, and they struggled to create chances against a well-organized Slovenian defense.
England faced Scotland in the final, and once again, they failed to impress. The game ended 1-1 after extra time, with Luka Doncic’s late goal canceling out Harry Kane’s opener. The game went to penalties, and England lost 4-3, with Kane missing the crucial spot-kick. It was a heartbreaking defeat for England, and it meant that they would miss out on the Euros for the first time since 1984.
Conclusion
In conclusion, England’s failure to qualify for the Euros was a combination of factors. The team struggled to score goals, and their performances were often below par. The racist incidents in Montenegro affected the players, and they struggled to cope with the pressure. The coronavirus pandemic also disrupted their preparations, and they failed to find their rhythm in the playoffs. It was a disappointing campaign for England, but they will have a chance to redeem themselves at the World Cup in 2022.