Roy Hodgson’s four-year tenure as England manager concluded in the most devastating and ignominious manner imaginable during the 2016 Euros. Regardless of any prior events, his time in charge will forever be stained by the utter humiliation of this defeat. It stands as one of the most infamous results in the history of the English national team, a shocking exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland.
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How else can this match be perceived when the agony was inflicted by a nation with a population comparable to Croydon, Hodgson’s hometown, and virtually no pedigree in major tournament football? Iceland’s performance was nothing short of heroic – brave, disciplined, and outstanding. They became the fairytale story of Euro 2016, a stark contrast to their 133rd world ranking just four years prior. However, this remarkable Icelandic achievement did little to soften the blow for England, their departing manager, and a squad of players who dramatically underperformed after Wayne Rooney’s early penalty offered a glimmer of hope.
Iceland displayed remarkable courage, skill, and unity, even raising questions about their potential against France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. England, conversely, completely lost their composure after conceding the lead. Hodgson’s resignation was immediate, a clear acknowledgment that his contract would not be extended. As England seeks a new manager for the upcoming World Cup cycle, Hodgson’s legacy will be forever linked to this result, a parallel to the infamous 1950 World Cup loss to the United States. The familiar inquest into English football’s recurring disappointments was set to begin once more in a nation that still considers itself a footballing giant.
The game’s final moments were a scene of desperation: Gary Cahill deployed as an auxiliary forward, England fans’ chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” echoing in the stadium, and Hodgson’s staff announcing his refusal to answer questions. Joe Hart offered a gesture of apology to the supporters. Many players collapsed to their knees, some burying their faces in the pitch, as the fundamental questions about England’s repeated failures on the international stage resurfaced. How could Harry Kane, the Premier League’s top scorer that season, perform so poorly? His errant passes and wayward shots became a focal point of the crowd’s frustration.
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England undeniably possessed the talent to recover after a chaotic 15-minute spell in the first half where Iceland, underestimated Iceland, scored twice to overturn the early deficit. Yet, this was a night of profound disappointment for key players like Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, and especially Kane. Raheem Sterling earned the penalty that initially put England ahead but offered little else to justify his inclusion, while defensively, England’s capitulation was alarming for Hodgson to witness during this crucial Euro 2016 match.
Iceland’s first goal originated from Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw-in, a tactic that Hodgson himself had emphasized in training sessions as a potential threat. The second goal further exposed the vulnerability of the modern England defense, lacking the commanding center-backs of past generations. It was also another personal setback for Joe Hart, whose errors were becoming a worrying pattern throughout Euro 2016.
While Hart may passionately sing the national anthem, his performances in crucial moments were increasingly detrimental to his team.
Hart’s mistake on Kolbeinn Sigthorsson’s decisive second goal for Iceland wasn’t as glaring as his error against Gareth Bale in the Wales game earlier in Euro 2016, but it was undeniably another save he should have made. Hart’s lapses in concentration were becoming a recurring and costly theme. No team can afford such defensive generosity and expect to succeed at the highest level of international football like Euro 2016.
It all seemed improbable considering England’s promising start. Just three minutes into the game, Sturridge’s precise pass sent Sterling into the penalty area, where Iceland’s goalkeeper, Hannes Halldorsson, conceded a penalty by bringing him down. Rooney confidently dispatched the penalty, sending the ball low and hard to the goalkeeper’s right. At that moment, England supporters might have been forgiven for believing their team was on course for a comfortable victory in this Euro 2016 knockout match.
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Instead, the equalizer arrived within two minutes, a near farcical goal stemming from Gunnarsson’s long throw, the very tactic England supposedly prepared for. Hodgson had assured everyone of their preparedness against this exact play. Yet, there was little evidence of effective防守. An Icelandic defender flicked on the initial header, and another rushed in to score. Rooney was outjumped by Kari Arnason for the first header, and Kyle Walker was equally culpable in failing to track Ragnar Sigurdsson’s run into the six-yard box.
Iceland’s second goal followed in the 18th minute. While Hart bore some responsibility, the entire defense was at fault. Cahill and Chris Smalling allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, and Sigthorsson to exchange passes on the edge of the penalty area unchallenged. Sigthorsson found space between England’s center-backs, aimed his right-footed shot, and Hart, diving to his left as he had against Bale, could only deflect the ball into the net.
Iceland’s Kolbeinn Sigthorsson celebrates after scoring against England during their Euro 2016 match, a pivotal moment in the tournament.
England were visibly shaken. By halftime, desperation was setting in. Rooney resorted to wild volleys lacking composure. Dele Alli attempted a dive to win a penalty. Passes went astray. Despite fleeting moments of attacking threat, Iceland remained resolute, defending their lead with tenacity and counter-attacking with confidence whenever the opportunity arose throughout this Euro 2016 round of 16 game.
One instance epitomized England’s shortcomings midway through the second half. England earned a free-kick 40 yards from goal, and Kane insisted on shooting from an improbable distance, sending his effort harmlessly wide, drawing further jeers from the frustrated fans behind the goal.
By this point, Hodgson had substituted Jamie Vardy for Sterling. Jack Wilshere had already replaced Eric Dier at halftime, and Marcus Rashford was introduced in the 85th minute. Remarkably, Rashford completed more dribbles – three – in his brief appearance than any other England player in the entire match. Hodgson’s decision to remove Rooney when a defender might have been a more logical choice raised further questions. Ultimately, nothing worked, and England’s Euro 2016 campaign ended in utter failure. This night in Nice will be etched in football history as one of England’s most embarrassing defeats, a defining moment of the 2016 euros.
Hodgson thanked the players and the media, and called his four-year tenure a ‘fantastic journey’ Guardian
