Let’s be positive. England may have drawn 1-1 with Russia on Saturday night but they failed to come away with the victory will remain a mystery for some time to come.
The Three Lions were the better side for the duration of the game and played an attacking brand of football that was a breath of fresh air.
The Russians drew level in added time of the second half after Eric Dier’s excellent free kick put his country in front, but that shouldn’t overshadow a generally good performance.
There are a couple of things to work on but this was a genuinely positive showing to be pleased about and here at Football FanCast we’ve picked out FIVE things that we’ve learned from tonight’s game in the south of France…
Eric Dier can take free-kicks
Looking at the players standing over the ball in the 73rd minute, Dier would have been the last person you’d expect to step up.
Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney were both eyeing the ball up and given the two had been the main set piece takers not just in this game, but the last few, you’d be forgiven for thinking it would be another attempt from one of them.
But up stepped Dier with a great strike, leaving no chance for Igor Akinfeev.
It looks as though the Three Lions have a new dead ball specialist.
Wayne Rooney is now a central midfielder
One of the great conundrums still seemingly unsolved going into the game was how Roy Hodgson would best utilise his captain without stifling England’s other attacking players. Well, this looks to have been solved.
Rooney demonstrated towards the end of last season that he could play in central midfield and his performance tonight has only added further proof.
His range of passing was exemplary as he controlled the tempo of the game and it also ensured the Three Lions looked much more cohesive than they had done in recent games with Rooney in a more advanced role.
No Premier League hangover
The story on so many occasions in recent tournaments has been that the rigours of a Premier League season have caused the national team to put in tired performances, but that appears to have changed.
There was no inkling of tiredness against the Russians as England chased and harried their opponents for the full ninety minutes.
This side looks fitter than many of its recent predecessors and that can only be a good thing.
England have fearless young players
The likes of Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane and the other young players have never experienced anything like this.
Of course they’ve played big Premier League games but playing on the top international stage for your country is the pinnacle, and so it remained to be seen how England’s youngest stars fared.
Rather suitably they rose to the occasion and looked completely at home on the Marseille pitch – any question over players being overawed was emphatically answered within minutes of the first whistle.
England’s attack is to be taken seriously
Any doubts over Roy Hodgson employing a defensive and organised side were quickly dismissed as England put in an enjoyable attacking performance.
The Three Lions outplayed Russia for most of the game and their attacking play deserved far more than the point they ended up with.
England attacked with pace and verve and if they can just be a bit more clinical in front of goal then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t do well this summer.