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Football

24th Jun 2018

Eamon Dunphy must be delighted that pre-match England warning did not come true

They're in the clear now

Ben Kiely

Eamon Dunphy

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.”

Fortunately for Dunphy, the English showed up in a big way.

Eight minutes in, John Stones broke the deadlock with a header.

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.

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.

The fourth came courtesy of John Stones. That set-piece appeared to come straight from the training ground.

Kane added a fifth through another penalty just before half time.

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