Manner of England's Late Wales Win Cause for Optimism or Concern?

Roy Hodgson was predictably smiling, and even making jokes. So, after England had so dramatically defeated Wales 2-1 thanks to Daniel Sturridge’s supreme late finish, the manager was asked whether the manner of the win made him “feel younger than ever… as long as I keep away from mirrors,” Hodgson responded, with a chuckle. “If I avoid mirrors, I can feel as young as I like.” 

He should also feel hugely enthused by this result, but the bigger question is whether he should feel any more optimistic about England’s chances. It is also the big question when it comes to dramatic last-gasp moments like this. Should his side be encouraged by the spirit and resolve of scoring a late goal, or worried about the situation that meant they needed it? Wales are still little more than a moderate side beyond Gareth Bale, so what does this really mean for when they play better sides? 

That may not be what people want to bring such a brilliant late moment down to, but that is what this is really about. There shouldn’t be too much question about England beating Wales, after all. This is really about beating their recent tournament record, of actually showing they could be a semi-final side. 

So, in short, for all the glorious entertainment of the moment - was any of it actually ‘good’ quality-wise? How does it look in the mirror now it’s all calmed down, once everything isn’t so charged from the pressure? That pressure - with England 1-0 down and facing the prospect of a must-win game against Slovakia in order to just qualify, let alone win the group - did force Hodgson to be more proactive than he’s ever been. 

He made the changes that seemed so obvious to many others - introducing Jamie Vardy, but also Daniel Sturridge and eventually Marcus Rashford - and it obviously made England so much more attacking, if also a touch ragged. 

A lot of that, though, still must be put into the context of Wales dropping back so far. As much as 40% of the game was spent in their third of the pitch, and they got deeper and deeper into it as the game wore on. From there, Wayne Rooney was able to run the game. He played six key passes, just one fewer than Wales as a whole. Hodgson predictably lionised his captain after the game, amid general praise for his performance.

“The importance of Wayne is not only in his offensive qualities. It's nice to have a player like him, a goalscorer, in midfield. We are happy with the composure he brings to the team, with the calmness at times when it gets a bit frantic chasing an equaliser or a winner. His long cross-field passes have always been a feature of his game. He's had that ability. And, in particular, having survived some doubts about him in the build-up to this tournament and my selection of the 23, I'm so pleased for him that he's shown everyone he's still a big player capable of having a big influence on the team.” 

But would he able to have such a big influence against better sides - and a proper midfield? Rooney again almost personifies England in so many ways, but especially their performance in this case. Just as the last two games must be put in the context of moderate opposition, so must the United star’s display. He was somewhat fortunate to come up against two midfields who put almost no pressure on him whatsoever. Russia didn’t have the legs, and Wales just didn’t play the system. 

It left Rooney with the kind of space he’s just not going to see against one of the teams that will really decide whether this is a good tournament for England. Is he really capable of running a game - or even playing the same amount of accurate passes - when he has France pair Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante around him? 

That is why there shouldn’t be too much stock being placed in this win, impressive as it was. There was also the fact that Wales’ main defender ended up being one of England’s main sources of joy. Ashley Williams had looked shaky even before the header that played Vardy onside and in on goal, with that also one of just two of four aerial duels that he “won”. It summed up the issue for Wales, and the caveat for England. If you’re going to set up like a Championship side against a Premier League side, you need better than Championship-level defending. 

England meanwhile should now get through to the last-16, although Slovakia pose an awkward challenge. The key is that they need to look more than a quarter-final team. We haven’t seen anything like that yet, even in this victory.

Based on their opening performances, how far can England go at the Euros? Let us know in the comments below