Roy Keane has issued a surprising verdict on England’s lacklustre 1-0 win against Andorra in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
The Three Lions maintained their 100 per cent record under Thomas Tuchel. Yet, despite a 20-shot onslaught and holding over 80 per cent of possession, they could only forge a single goal against the world’s 173rd-ranked side.
Harry Kane found the breakthrough five minutes into the second half, after a chance from just yards away was put on a plate for him by Noni Madueke – the nation’s all-time top-goalscorer could not miss.
England were booed off after a goalless 45 minutes at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona in what was just Tuchel’s third game at the helm.
However, Keane extended some leniency to the Euro 2024 finalists, citing end-of-season laziness.
The former Manchester United midfielder was forgiving of England’s first-half showing, but explained that he expected more from their ‘disappointing’ performance after they went 1-0 up.
England got the job done against the world’s 173rd-ranked country – Andorra – to win 1-0
Roy Keane was forgiving of England’s first-half showing but blasted the second 45 minutes
The Three Lions managed 20 shots and 83 per cent possession, but only scored once – through Harry Kane
Keane said: ‘I’d try to give England a few excuses – it was obviously the end of the season and it’s been tough on the players.
‘I thought the first half was fine, but once they scored they seemed to think the job was done. I’m really disappointed with England’s attitude after the goal went in.
‘The manager can’t have been pleased with that effort in the second half – I know the job’s done, but you still expect a bit more from England.’
Keane went on to argue that the old ‘a win’s a win’ mantra will not do England any good when they come up against the heavyweight nations in world football.
He continued: ‘Obviously, they’ve won the three games and everyone’s going, “well, a win’s a win.” It’s not. You need more than that. It’s about setting high standards.
‘And if players aren’t playing with urgency and quality and all the other words he used, then you will be in trouble.
‘If you turn up and you don’t have urgency and energy or quality, you’re going to struggle to beat any decent nation.’
England extended their grip on first place in their World Cup qualification table – Group K.
Despite the lacklustre outing, England made it three wins from three under Thomas Tuchel
Joining them in their group are Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra, none of whom are ranked in the world’s top-30 football nations.
Tuchel has only had eight training sessions across his first two camps in charge, meaning the German tactician can only be judged so harshly.
His side take the field again on Tuesday, returning to England to host Senegal at the City Ground in a friendly.
Their next World Cup qualifier comes in September – a return fixture against Andorra – where they will hope to deliver a more entertaining spectacle than they did on Saturday.
