Elliot Anderson can be forgiven for needing additional time to recover from his exertions in the cauldron of Miami. As Manchester City’s new record signing reflected on England’s extra-time victory over Norway with his fellow Geordie, John Murray, from BBC Radio 5 Live, there was no hiding his pure exhaustion.
“It was so tough. So tough,” said Anderson, who covered 14.8km in stifling humidity – the most of any England player, beating his captain, Harry Kane, by a few hundred metres. “I was cramping up a few times [in extra time]. But the fighting spirit the lads have is amazing to be part of. The fans should be proud of the amount of fight and determination we showed.”
While Jude Bellingham stole the headlines, an alumnus of the Wallsend Boys Club, which has produced eight England men’s internationals, including Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick, enjoyed probably his best game since being promoted from the under-21s. That was despite being deployed in at least four roles during the match as Thomas Tuchel kept tinkering with his midfield after withdrawing Declan Rice at half-time because he was struggling with injury and illness.
Morgan Rogers filled the void after the brief experiments with Reece James and Bellingham as Anderson’s partners. But it was the 23-year-old who was a steadying influence throughout the game and completed an impressive 87 passes for a 94% success rate. He was also instrumental in England’s equaliser after the ball appeared to strike the overhead television cable from a Norway goal-kick, making the most of his good fortune by surging down the left flank, combining with Anthony Gordon to set up Bellingham.
It is a happy coincidence that Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s assistant, has previously referred to Anderson as “a gift that fell from the sky”.
England 3-1 Argentina, 1962: A group game in Chile, and England comfortably defeated opponents who, as one report put it, employed a “ruthless, massed defensive formation”. Ron Flowers scored an early penalty and Bobby Charlton made it 2-0 from 20 yards just before half-time. Jimmy Greaves poached a third before José Sanfilippo poked home a consolation.
England 1-0 Argentina, 1966: The quarter-final is known in Argentina as ‘The robbery of the century’ and was the beginning of the rivalry. The game quickly spiralled into a kicking contest and when Antonio Rattin was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 33rd minute for verbally abusing referee Rudolf Kreitlein it all kicked off. The Argentina captain refused to leave the pitch and there was an eight-minute delay before the restart, with coaching staff still remonstrating with officials. The game was settled by a Geoff Hurst header from a Martin Peters cross but, at the final whistle, the Argentinians surrounded the referee, who had to be escorted off by police. England manager Sir Alf Ramsey described the Argentinians as “animals”.
England 1-2 Argentina, 1986: Arguably the two most memorable moments in these matches came within four minutes of each other in a quarter-final in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City courtesy of Diego Maradona. The first ‘Hand of God’ incident (pictured) involved the midfielder knocking the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton with a raised arm. Then he scored what Fifa has called ‘Goal of the Century’, collecting the ball inside his half before weaving his way to goal with 11 touches in 11 seconds past helpless England players.
England 2-2 Argentina (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties), 1998: A high point for a teenage Michael Owen and a low one for David Beckham in the last 16. Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer had traded penalties in the first 10 minutes before Owen scored a brilliant solo goal. Javier Zanetti levelled before half-time and Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone while on the ground two minutes after the interval. Glenn Hoddle’s side held out for penalties, where Carlos Roa to saved David Batty’s must-score fifth spot-kick.
England 1-0 Argentina, 2002: A degree of redemption for Beckham, although it was only a group game. Owen terrorised the defence again and after he was brought down by Mauricio Pochettino a minute before half-time, Beckham blasted home the penalty, prompting a kiss of the shirt and an outpouring of emotion. PA Media
It was at last summer’s European Under-21 Championship that Anderson emerged as a contender for the senior squad when he was the midfield anchor man as they sealed a second title in succession in Slovakia. He had been deployed as a No 10 in Newcastle’s youth teams and that deftness of touch and technique has been hugely beneficial to his transition to a deeper role for club and country.
Despite his considerable physical attributes, as Anderson seemed to hint when he spoke to Murray in an assessment that will probably have gone down well with Tuchel, even he cannot be expected to do it all on his own.
“We could have made it easier for ourselves if we had played more football and didn’t have to run as much,” he said. “It could be better. At times it was good and at other times it wasn’t so good.
“But that’s football, isn’t it? Sometimes you set out a plan and we didn’t quite do it. But there were glimpses and once we get it right I think we will be frightening.”
Rice is expected to start as his partner once more against Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday after Tuchel revealed that the Arsenal midfielder had spent most of the three days leading up to the Norway game in bed due to illness. There are still major concerns over Rice’s fitness after he arrived at the World Cup with back problems that mean he is not operating at 100%. Tuchel has been reversing their usual roles by pushing Anderson further forward while also searching for a plan B when Rice tires.
With the plethora of No 10s at his disposal, even in the absence of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, and an apparent reluctance to call on the most obvious replacement for Rice in Kobbie Mainoo, he tried Eberechi Eze in a deeper position first against Ghana and Panama to mild success. But it was Rogers, the Aston Villa forward who is also tipped to leave this summer for a fee in excess of £100m – with Arsenal among his suitors – who slotted in alongside Anderson.
That it was from a shot from outside the penalty area by Rogers that led to Bellingham’s winner in extra time did not escape Tuchel’s attention. “We played with Morgan Rogers in the eight and defensively as a double six,” he said.
“He’s one of my key players. I’m so, so happy about his performance. He made a big step forward, like all our subs, but especially Morgan in a new position – absolutely top.”
Rogers scored 18 goals for Villa last season mainly as a No 10 so it speaks volumes for his humility – not to mention his ability to adapt – that he is prepared to sacrifice himself for the good of the team and to get the best out of Bellingham.
The pair appeared on a mural over the weekend near where Rogers grew up in Halesowen that depicts them eating orange chips – a Black Country speciality. Having first played together for England’s Under-15s almost a decade ago, they now have the chance to win the ultimate prize.
