England Stunned by Iceland in Euro 2024 Warm-Up

England's Euro 2024 preparations hit a major roadblock as they suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match at Wembley. The result sent shockwaves through the English camp, raising serious concerns about the team's readiness for the upcoming tournament.

Gareth Southgate's side, considered one of the favorites for the Euros, had hoped to boost their confidence with a victory before heading to Germany. However, Iceland, ranked 72nd in the world, spoiled the party with a stunning first-half goal from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.

England's performance was lackluster throughout, with Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Kobbie Mainoo failing to impress in their bids for starting roles. The hosts were booed off at half-time and the final whistle, as fans expressed their frustration with the team's disjointed and disappointing display.

Southgate admitted that the defeat was a "reality check" for his players. "We have to be better. We didn't get our pressing right. There were questions asked that we weren't able to answer," he said. "It was obviously a disjointed and disappointing performance. We didn't show enough character."

The England manager also expressed concerns about the team's defensive frailties, with just two clean sheets in their last seven games. "We've got to be far better without the ball and we've got to show more composure with it," he said.

Southgate's worries were compounded by the absence of John Stones after the interval, who fell awkwardly in the first half. The England center-back's injury status remains uncertain.

The defeat has raised questions about Southgate's starting lineup, with the team looking short on energy and composure in the absence of Jude Bellingham. Fans were left bored and entertained themselves by buzzing the pitch with paper airplanes.

Southgate acknowledged that the result will count for nothing when England begin their quest for a first major trophy in 58 years. However, he admitted that it was an alarming performance that highlighted key areas of concern.

"We need to stay calm. No excuses on the result but there are a lot of things we can put right quickly. It actually gives us a chance to focus the mind," he said.

Tags: #England, #Iceland, #Euro2024, #GarethSouthgate, #DisappointingPerformance