England are on to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990 and only the third time in their history. Three Lions achieved this largely due to the efforts of several Tottenham Hotspur players on the squad.
England defeated Sweden today 2-0 in a very convincing manner that has to have supporters now really believing that “it’s coming home; football’s coming home.”
Let’s take a look at how three key Spurs players contributed for Three Lions today.
-Kieran Trippier, the right back for Tottenham Hotspur when he’s playing his club ball, briefly celebrated with his England teammates today before later consoling several Sweden players, who were no doubt devastated from their having just been eliminated from the World Cup.
The Sunday Express writes (below the photo gallery of the noble gesture): “Trippier offered a hand to defender Ludwig Augustinsson and goalkeeper Robin Olsen, pulling them to their feet after sinking to the turf.”
What a classy gesture by Trippier!
-Another Tottenham man, Dele Alli scored the second goal (Harry Maguire provided the opener), and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kept a clean sheet. Despite his heroic performance, Alli believes there is still plenty of room for improvement above and beyond his outing today.
“It’s always nice to score, especially in occasions like this,” Dele said.
“I don’t feel this was my best performance personally on the pitch, but to get a goal in an occasion like this is unbelievable and for the team and the country to get to the semifinal is an amazing feeling.”
-Team captain Harry Kane says the team is buzzing right now after the win.
“I thought we were fantastic. We faced the long ball — different to what we have faced before — and we’re buzzing with the result,” Kane said.
“We know there is a big game ahead with the semifinal but we are feeling good and we’re confident. We just have to go again. We are enjoying it and we’ve got keep doing what we are doing and make the country proud.”
England battles Croatia in the semis on Wednesday.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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