Latest news with #Andorran
Leader Live
a day ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
England jeered after unimpressive win over minnows Andorra
The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA's world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves. This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren's side in 2007 and Fabio Capello's team the following year. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday's World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about. England's captain turned in lively Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles. Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel's third win in charge. The England boss had named an attack-minded line-up at the RCDE Stadium – where the match was held as Andorra's new ground was not quite ready – and saw his side boss 83 per cent of first-half possession. But the Group K leaders were unable to turn dominance into a first-half opener as well-drilled, defence-minded Andorra held firm on a warm evening in Spain. Jude Bellingham saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Curtis Jones soon saw an attempt blocked, with Ezri Konsa then denied a penalty despite being wrestled to the ground. Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez looked uncertain at some set-pieces but produced some important stops, with his 14th-minute save from Madueke the most impressive. Kane struck wide from close range and Bellingham saw an attempt through a crowd saved but England's play was lacking incision. Andorra's support whistled for half-time as Bellingham saw a flicked header held in stoppage time, which ended with boos from unimpressed England fans. It was not only the performance that some supporters expressed anger with as Prime Minister Keir Starmer copped some flak at points during the first half. Ricard Fernandez's attempt to score Andorra's first goal against England went well wide early in the second half and the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Jones slipped a ball through for stretching Kane to prod goalwards, with Madueke reacting quickest to Alvarez's save and sending a low ball back across for the skipper to stab home. England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Madueke was denied before Tuchel turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eberechi Eze. The latter saw a header tipped over by Alvarez, increasing Andorran anticipation when substitute Guillaume Lopez skipped past Dan Burn to see a shot blocked by Konsa. Play petered out as some England fans made an early exit, understandably preferring to get their Saturday night started in Barcelona rather than see through a dreary conclusion. There was a chance at the death but Andorra escaped, England fans letting their annoyance known but later applauding the players.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
England jeered after unimpressive win over minnows Andorra
The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA's world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves. This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren's side in 2007 and Fabio Capello's team the following year. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday's World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about. England's captain turned in lively Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles. Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel's third win in charge. The England boss had named an attack-minded line-up at the RCDE Stadium – where the match was held as Andorra's new ground was not quite ready – and saw his side boss 83 per cent of first-half possession. But the Group K leaders were unable to turn dominance into a first-half opener as well-drilled, defence-minded Andorra held firm on a warm evening in Spain. Jude Bellingham saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Curtis Jones soon saw an attempt blocked, with Ezri Konsa then denied a penalty despite being wrestled to the ground. Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez looked uncertain at some set-pieces but produced some important stops, with his 14th-minute save from Madueke the most impressive. Kane struck wide from close range and Bellingham saw an attempt through a crowd saved but England's play was lacking incision. Andorra's support whistled for half-time as Bellingham saw a flicked header held in stoppage time, which ended with boos from unimpressed England fans. It was not only the performance that some supporters expressed anger with as Prime Minister Keir Starmer copped some flak at points during the first half. Ricard Fernandez's attempt to score Andorra's first goal against England went well wide early in the second half and the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Jones slipped a ball through for stretching Kane to prod goalwards, with Madueke reacting quickest to Alvarez's save and sending a low ball back across for the skipper to stab home. England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Madueke was denied before Tuchel turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eberechi Eze. The latter saw a header tipped over by Alvarez, increasing Andorran anticipation when substitute Guillaume Lopez skipped past Dan Burn to see a shot blocked by Konsa. Play petered out as some England fans made an early exit, understandably preferring to get their Saturday night started in Barcelona rather than see through a dreary conclusion. There was a chance at the death but Andorra escaped, England fans letting their annoyance known but later applauding the players.
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Stuart Pearce slams 'slow and lethargic' England star after Andorra win
Stuart Pearce was left disappointed by one England star's 'slow and lethargic' display as the Three Lions underwhelmed with a 1-0 win over lowly-ranked Andorra. Thomas Tuchel became the first England manager to win his first three games in charge without conceding a single goal. But the manner of Saturday's win left much to be desired, with England jeered off the pitch in Barcelona after a lacklustre attacking display. Noni Madueke was the sole bright spark in an England shirt, and set up the game's only goal with a low cross for Harry Kane to tap home. But several England players failed to impress to leave Tuchel with plenty of food for thought just twelve months out from the 2026 World Cup. And Pearce, in particular, was left frustrated by the performance of Cole Palmer, who was afforded the No10 role by Tuchel but failed to influence the game before his withdrawl shortly after the hour mark. 'I dont think he got the game, Pearce told talkSPORT. 'I don't think he understood exactly what was needed from him as a player. 'He played slow and lethargically because he had a lot of time to do so. When you have a lot of time to do so, that's the last thing you need to do. You need to play it quickly, effectively and show energy. 'He's not an aggressive player, but every time there was a challenge and the ball fell between him and an Andorran player, he almost got out of the way apologetically and let the Andorran take the ball of him and the rest of the team had to get it back for him.' Pearce continued: 'I think we're all disappointed with Cole today because we know he has the ability. 'But he's one of those over the next twelve months that has to prove his ability in an England shirt as well as in a Chelsea shirt, so we know we can trust you and you can be that matchwinner that is going to help us win the tournament.' Palmer was far from the only England player who failed to make an impact on the game, with Tuchel critical of his entire side for their lack of intensity during large swathes of the contest. 'I was most worried in the last 20 minutes because I did not like the attitude that we ended the game with,' said the German. More Trending 'I didn't like the lack of urgency and it did not match the occasion – it is still a World Cup qualifier. We will let them know [on Sunday] what we want from them. 'I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier. 'I think we played with fire. I didn't like the attitude in the end. I didn't like the body language. It was not what the occasion needed.' England are back in action on Tuesday at the City Ground, where they face Senegal in a friendly. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Why are England playing Andorra in Spain? Reason behind different stadium MORE: Why Bukayo Saka is not playing for England against Andorra MORE: Reece James reacts to Chelsea's signing of in-demand striker Liam Delap
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
England booed off as Kane (just about) spares blushes against world #173 Andorra
HARRY KANE SPARED woeful England's blushes as his second half strike sealed a lacklustre 1-0 win against minnows Andorra in Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Barcelona. Thomas Tuchel's side were booed off by England fans in the RCDE Stadium after failing to impress against a team ranked 173rd in the world. Kane's 72nd international goal ensured England avoided the ultimate embarrassment of failing to beat such lowly opposition. Tuchel is the first England manager to win his first three competitive games without conceding a goal. But given the paucity of opposition provided by Andorra, Latvia and Albania in the Group K qualifiers, that achievement rings a little hollow after this miserable display. England take the lead 🏴 ⚽ Harry Kane — Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) June 7, 2025 Tuchel had warned that England's tired stars should not be expected to thrash Andorra after gruelling domestic seasons. The German cited the motivational difficulties posed by the summer international break, just before nine of his players jet off to the Club World Cup in the United States. His fears proved prescient as England laboured to establish any rhythm in a soporific match with the feel of a pre-season friendly. Advertisement It was a far cry from the pulsating drama produced by Spain and France in their recent Nations League semi-final, underlining the task facing Tuchel as he builds up to the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel didn't help England's cause by fielding an experimental side. Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones started at right-back and Chelsea right-back Reece James featured at left-back. With Declan Rice rested, Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, made his first England start since 2023, becoming the Three Lions' oldest player since Frank Lampard 11 years ago. Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka was left out after only completing one training session this week, leaving Noni Madueke, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer to line up behind striker Harry Kane. Full Time in Barcelona Andorra 0-1 England 🇦🇩 🏴 — Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) June 7, 2025 - Bereft of ideas - Chelsea winger Madueke impressed but Palmer and Rogers were underwhelming. Andorra hadn't scored an international goal for more than two years and they quickly settled into a defensive formation that allowed England to monopolise possession. As Tuchel had predicted, England didn't find it easy to prise open a massed Andorra defence featuring nine men behind the ball at all times. Madueke's drive from the edge of the area was pushed away by Andorra keeper Iker Alvarez. Kane should have broken the deadlock with a close-range chance from Jones' cut-back, but the England captain prodded wastefully wide. Biel Borra fired over from distance in a rare Andorran venture into the England half, which ranked as an improvement on a defeat without mustering a single shot against Albania in March. Given Tuchel's desire to see his player perform in the warm Catalan temperatures ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, it was instructive to see England struggle to find the energy and purpose required to make Andorra uncomfortable. They moved the ball too slowly, and were reduced them to hopeful efforts from distance, with Jude Bellingham's 25-yard shot comfortably saved by Alvarez. By the time Bellingham's header failed to beat Alvarez on the stroke of half-time, England looked bereft of ideas and the fans were beginning to grumble. Kane eased the mounting pressure when the Bayern Munich striker made the breakthrough five minutes after the interval. After Kane's initial shot was saved, Madueke alertly guided a low cross back into the six-yard box for the England captain to tap into the empty net. It was a modest way to reach a milestone for Kane, who has a remarkable 450 career goals for club and country in 697 games. England still couldn't find any momentum and were nearly punished in the closing stages when Guillaume Lopez's shot was blocked by Ezri Konsa. – © AFP 2025
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
England jeered after unimpressive win over minnows Andorra
The German coach called for relentlessness and patience against the side 173rd in FIFA's world rankings but got neither as the stuttering Euro 2024 runners-up were jeered at the end of both halves. This was the third time England have failed to score a first-half goal against Andorra in Barcelona, where the minnows kept out Steve McClaren's side in 2007 and Fabio Capello's team the following year. A 1-0 win for the #ThreeLions in Barcelona 👊 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 There was a breakthrough shortly after the break in both of those matches, just as there was in Saturday's World Cup qualifier when Harry Kane finally gave the 6,950 travelling fans something to cheer about. England's captain turned in lively Noni Madueke's cross in the 50th minute, yet the goals did not flow from that point and slow play brought further grumbles. Some fans made an early exit and there were more boos at the end of Tuchel's third win in charge. The England boss had named an attack-minded line-up at the RCDE Stadium – where the match was held as Andorra's new ground was not quite ready – and saw his side boss 83 per cent of first-half possession. But the Group K leaders were unable to turn dominance into a first-half opener as well-drilled, defence-minded Andorra held firm on a warm evening in Spain. Jude Bellingham saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Curtis Jones soon saw an attempt blocked, with Ezri Konsa then denied a penalty despite being wrestled to the ground. Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez looked uncertain at some set-pieces but produced some important stops, with his 14th-minute save from Madueke the most impressive. Kane struck wide from close range and Bellingham saw an attempt through a crowd saved but England's play was lacking incision. Andorra's support whistled for half-time as Bellingham saw a flicked header held in stoppage time, which ended with boos from unimpressed England fans. It was not only the performance that some supporters expressed anger with as Prime Minister Keir Starmer copped some flak at points during the first half. Ricard Fernandez's attempt to score Andorra's first goal against England went well wide early in the second half and the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Jones slipped a ball through for stretching Kane to prod goalwards, with Madueke reacting quickest to Alvarez's save and sending a low ball back across for the skipper to stab home. England goal number 7️⃣2️⃣ for @HKane ⚽️🏴 — England (@England) June 7, 2025 Madueke was denied before Tuchel turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eberechi Eze. The latter saw a header tipped over by Alvarez, increasing Andorran anticipation when substitute Guillaume Lopez skipped past Dan Burn to see a shot blocked by Konsa. Play petered out as some England fans made an early exit, understandably preferring to get their Saturday night started in Barcelona rather than see through a dreary conclusion. There was a chance at the death but Andorra escaped, England fans letting their annoyance known but later applauding the players.
