EURO 2020 Half-time: England 0-0 Germany. Peep! A tense, cagey, tight 45 minutes of football draws to a close. Chances have been at a premium but Timo Werner missed the pick of Germany’s, while Harry Kane should have fired England ahead just before half-time. He took a touch too many when through on goal at the edge of the German six-yard box and missed an absolute sitter.
A dreadful pass by Thomas Muller is intercepted by Sterling, who advances through the centre. He charges forwards and is tackled on the edge of the Germany penalty area. The ball squirts towards Kane, who looks like he can’t miss … but Mats Hummels sticks out a leg and relieves him of possession as he tries to take the ball around Neuer. That was close!
Kalvin Phillips gets booked for a meaty challenge on Toni Kroos. Both England’s holding midfielders are on yellow cards. Trippier takes a quick one and tries to stand the ball up at the far post for Kane but Mats Hummels is alert to the danger and gets to it first. It’s a corner for England, which Hummels clears with another good header.
Goretzka trips Kane and England have a free-kick in a good position about 30 yards from the Germany goal. It’s almost in line with the left edge of the Germany penalty area. Kane drops deep to midfield and plays a high ball through the centre for Phillips to chase. He’s not quick enough to reach it and Germany clear. Reverse the roles in that scenario and it could have been an entirely different story.
While tense and extremely absorbing, this game is not a patch on either of yesterday’s swashbuckling Round of 16 affairs in terms of entertainment. Germany have had the best chance of the game so far but there’s very little in it.
Bukayo Saka has been England’s standout player so far and he gets on the ball again out by the right touchline. He finds Phillips with a neat reverse pass but the midfielder’s attempted pull-back to Kane in the penalty area is intercepted. England throw-in, halfway inside the Germany half. Luke Shaw takes it and gives Harry Kane a rare touch of the ball.
A much more intriguing second half awaits
