While England might have been desperate to pick up some revenge at Molineux on Tuesday, the Three Lions’ trip to the Midlands quickly became another Nations League nightmare.
In what will long be remembered as one of the worst defeats in modern history, Gareth Southgate’s men were blown away thanks to a 4-0 drumming at Wolves’ stadium.
Still yet to pick up a single victory since opening this year’s Nations League tournament, the European champions will now have real questions to answer after an abysmal display in midweek.
With the mood in their camp looking like it is at the lowest it has been since Southgate’s arrival six years ago, we have taken a look at the main talking points as England were hit for four at Molineux.
The fans turn on Southgate
Opening Tuesday’s meeting in the Midlands with fans allowed back in Molineux and seeking their first Nations League victory at the fourth attempt, England would have been smelling a golden chance here.
However, while the one-time Aston Villa defender might have made the call to bring back in Tottenham ace Harry Kane from the start, it was the same old problems for an England squad who are really short on ideas.
Eventually blown away thanks to a 4-0 drumming, there is no doubt that Tuesday’s headlines will be stollen by Southgate’s rather stunning fall from grace.
Although the 51-year-old might have underlined his place as the Three Lions’ second most successful manager as his side reached last summer’s European Championships Final against Italy.
Nevertheless, suffering penalties defeat at Wembley 12 months ago and missing the chance to claim their first international title since 1966, Southgate has come under recent scrutiny.
Often criticised for what is perceived to be a negative style of play, the vocal home support inside Molineux made their feeling abundantly clear throughout.
With chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” and boos at both the half-time and full-time whistle, Southgate has also come under a real barrage from across social media.
With under six months until England are set to head out to Qatar for this year’s World Cup finals, could the FA be looking to make a late change?
One of the most iconic nights Hungary’s history
Although all of the headlines following Tuesday’s remarkable showdown might be stollen by England’s woeful display and the ever-growing pressure on Southgate, Hungary deserve to leave Molineux with all the plaudits.
Managing to open up this year’s Nations League campaign with a stunning 1-0 win when they welcomed the Three Lions to Budapest on June 4th, few expected Marco Rossi’s men to lay down such a marker.
While the Magyars might have suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of defending European champions Italy last weekend, Tuesday’s display will stand among the most famous in their history.
With Roland Sallai finding the net on either side of the interval, second-half goals from Zsolt Nagy and Dániel Gazdag helped Hungary find a way to the top of the League A table.
Now shockingly sat in pole position to book their spot in the semi-finals of this year’s tournament, Rossi’s side were simply dominant for large spells of the game.
Handing England their worst home defeat since a 5-1 loss against Scotland way back in 1928, Tuesday’s guests will be wishing that they could play Southgate’s strugglers every week.
While their 1-0 victory at home against the Three Lions earlier in the month might have been their first win against the European heavyweights in six decades, Hungary have now doubled that tally in under a fortnight.
England can’t buy a goal
With Kane making his return to Southgate’s starting XI after settling for a spot on the bench in last weekend’s 0-0 stalemate against Italy, many expected the 28-year-old’s return to offer England a much-needed clinical edge.
However, while the Tottenham marksman might sit just three goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s all-time goalscoring record, Kane and co once again failed to offer any kind of threat in the final third.
Although the manner of their defeat will be a huge concern to English fans, Southgate should have a real headache regarding his side’s rather glaring struggles in front of goal.
Remarkably, with Harry Kane’s penalty against Germany last week the only strike that they have recorded from their opening four Nations League appearances, the Three Lions are also yet to score a single goal from open play.
In a squad that has once again see a few new faces chucked in the mix, only Kane, Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire have recorded over five international goal.
Although it might not quite be time to panic for England, their June nightmare will have certainly been noted by Europe’s elite as they prepare for this year’s World Cup finals out in Qatar.
Match Report:
England: Ramsdale, Walker, Stones, Guehi, James, Gallagher, Phillips, Bellingham, Bowen, Kane, Saka
Subs: Mount, Sterling, Foden, Maguire
Hungary: Dibusz, Land, Orban, Szalai, Fiola, Schafer, Styles, Nagy, Sallai, Szoboszlai, Szalai
Subs: Nagy, Nego, Adam, Gazdag
Goals: Sallai (16′, 70′), Nagy (80′), Gazdag (89′)
Yellow Cards: England: Stones, Walker – Hungary: Nagy
Red Cards: Stones
Referee: Clément Turpin
