Joe Cole praises the 'personality' of England
Joe Cole praises the ‘personality’ of England for getting back into the game against Germany as he declares Luke Shaw’s goal at 0-2 ‘massive’ for the team
- England came from 0-2 down against Germany to draw 3-3 at Wembley
- Result is a positive one after months of negative headlines surrounding England
- Joe Cole believed the draw, despite having led, was a step in the right direction
Joe Cole has praised the ‘personality’ of Gareth Southgate’s England team for the way they got themselves back into the game against Germany on Monday.
Goals from Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane overturned Germany’s 2-0 lead inside 12 second half minutes to put England on the verge of an unlikely victory.
Germany spared their own blushes a matter of minutes later when an error from Nick Pope allowed Kai Havertz to score his second of the game – the first time he has ever done such for his national side – but Cole saw enough to be encouraged ahead of Qatar.
Joe Cole praised the personality of England for their response to going 2-0 down at Wembley
He said on Channel 4: ‘You can play friendlies and to learn much but the lads have exposed to real pressure.
‘It is not exactly the same as tournament pressure but everyone has an opinion. To go 2-0 down against a team like Germany and to show the personality to get back into the game, you learn something.
‘It is not perfect preparation, but it is good preparation.’
The former Chelsea man praised substitutes Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount for changing the game
Gareth Southgate introduced the two stars with England facing down the barrel of another defeat in the Nations League
Meanwhile, it was Southgate’s changes in bringing on Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount that seemingly changed the game for England, with the Arsenal man’s direct running hurting Germany in central areas while Mount’s intelligence on and off the ball always carries a threat, with his goal being extremel
Cole praised both players for the impact they had having come onto the pitch.
‘The Mount-Saka link-up, what a finish. He’s played it in. Mason will be first to admit he’s not been at his best but he took that with such confidence and the place erupted. So much passion.’
He went on to credit the impact Jude Bellingham had on the game, with his running in midfield posing serious questions of the athleticism of the Germany central players.
Jude Bellingham impressed throughout and Cole singled him out in his post-match comments
It was Bellingham who also won the penalty that saw England take the lead through Harry Kane, who went within two goals of the all-time scoring record for England.
Cole said: ‘Jude Bellingham was outstanding tonight. Getting bodies in the box. Luke Shaw does the right thing first getting good contact and you need that in a bad moment. A vital goal for this group.’
England now do not play again until they meet Iran on the second day of the World Cup finals.
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