Eamon Dunphy wants England to win well, you know.
During RTE’s pre-match coverage of England vs Panama, Eamon Dunphy issued the Three Lions with a warning. Despite the fact that they were about to play the group whipping boys, Dunphy was concerned.
As he sees it, the opposition doesn’t necessarily matter when it comes to the England national team. He believes they’re always prone to making a balls of a game.
“You never know what to expect, really. I think the blitz they put on Tunisia early on worked. It got them a goal. I think they’ll do that again.”
“You’re never far away from a trainwreck with England. Even when they’re playing Panama. I hope England win and win well.”
Eamon Dunphy: "You're never too far from a train-wreck with England" pic.twitter.com/wp4RZw2k9J
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) June 24, 2018
Fortunately for Dunphy, the English showed up in a big way.
Eight minutes in, John Stones broke the deadlock with a header.
8mins: John Stones opens the scoring with a bullet header from a corner. #RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/tPwx8hfUhW pic.twitter.com/0mYTX9YegM
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 24, 2018
12 minutes later, Jesse Lingard was hauled down inside the box. Harry Kane made no mistake with his spot kick. The goalkeeper stood no chance of saving it.
22mins: Harry Kane scores his third goal of the tournament, converting a penalty to give England a 2-0 lead.#RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/tPwx8hfUhW pic.twitter.com/V9f1njQylw
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 24, 2018
Then Lingard got his opening goal of the game. He linked up well with Ashley Young and Raheem Sterling en route to a stunning top corner finish from outside the box.
36mins: Jesse Lingard adds number three for England with a spectacular effort into the top corner.#RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/tPwx8hfUhW pic.twitter.com/Ge8qXa9MWS
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 24, 2018
The fourth came courtesy of John Stones. That set-piece appeared to come straight from the training ground.
40mins: John Stones with a goal that was straight off the training ground.#RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/tPwx8hfUhW pic.twitter.com/rm865QTqVH
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 24, 2018
Kane added a fifth through another penalty just before half time.
