What Rice and Lingard did ahead of the game
Following the England team announcement at 6.30pm, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad made their way out onto the pitch at the Riverside Stadium to get a feel for the place.
Seperating into groups and having a quick chat ahead of the game, West Ham ace Declan Rice spotted a familiar face on the other side of the pitch.
It was indeed his former Hammers teammate Marko Arnautovic, who is part of the Austria squad for Euro 2020 but currently out through injury.
Making his way over to meet him, the pair shook hands, shared a warm embrace and duly spent a good five minutes or so catching up.
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Jesse Lingard later joined the duo on the halfway line as West Ham players new and old spent time with one another.
Lingard makes his case
There was always going to be seven extremely disappointed players in the England camp when Southgate cut his preliminary 33-man party down to 26.
Lingard was perhaps the shock exclusion on Monday following a stunning second half of the season on loan at West Ham.
However, he, and the rest of those cut by Southgate except for Mason Greenwood who is injured, remained with the squad for the Austria game.
Handed a start by the Three Lions boss, the attacker operated from the right flank and had an impact on the game early on as his effort on goal found the net via a Jude Bellingham deflection but was ruled out for a foul.
Having a role in Bukayo Saka’s goal, the 28-year-old needed to perform well just in case Southgate has to make a late change to his squad and he certainly did that.
Kane doing what he does best
Harry Kane had quite the campaign for Tottenham despite their struggles in north London.
Known for his outstanding ability in front of goal after plundering goals for fun season after season, the 27-year-old also demonstrated in his 49 appearances in all competitions that he can also set up goals for his teammates.
The fact he won the Premier League’s Golden Boot and also the Playmaker of the Season was proof of that.
(Image: Alex Pantling – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Well, it came as no surprise to see the Spurs ace doing what he does best early on as he turned just inside the Austria half and picked Trent Alexander-Arnold out with a sumptuous ball.
Unfortunately his brilliant piece of play didn’t come off as the Austrian goalkeeper denied the right-back at his near post.
Daniel Bachmann was then to the rescue midway inside the first half as he got there just in time to stop the England captain’s hooked ball reaching Lingard.
Kane wasn’t risked for the full 90 minutes as he was only on for an hour.
Saka’s versatility
Saka was rewarded for his fine season for Arsenal with a place in the England squad for the Euros.
Starting against Austria down the left flank, the youngster burst into action as he eased past Stefan Lainer to get into the box before seeing his cross deflected wide for a corner.
In the wars a couple of times in the first half, the Arsenal man did have a chance on goal in the 20th minute but he couldn’t keep his volley down.
Playing in a number of roles since breaking into the Arsenal team, the 19-year-old displayed his versatility against Austria as he also moved across to play on the right as he swapped with Lingard.
Saka was outstanding during his time on the pitch and he got the goal his performance deserved in the second half as he finished from close range after the ball fell kindly to him.
Perhaps seen by many as a squad member for the tournament, he could well be Southgate and England’s secret weapon after sending out a huge warning to their Euro 2020 opponents.
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Bellingham shows his class
It probably won’t be that long until Europe’s biggest clubs make their move for Jude Bellingham.
Joining Borussia Dortmund last summer after making his name in the Birmingham City team as a 16-year-old, the midfielder has gone from strength to strength following his year in the Bundesliga.
Tipped to be an outside bet for the England Euro 2020 squad, Bellingham is part of Southgate’s summer plans and it’s not hard to see why.
Impressing in midfield against Austria as he got on the ball and always looked to get forward, the midfield produced a performance that belied his tender years.
He could well be in the running for regular minutes in the competition and that will subsequently see his profile rise even more.
Linked with Chelsea in the past, don’t be surprised if the Blues or another Premier League team go all out for him.