Home Football Finland 1-3 England: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lightning bolt lit up the evening with a stunning free-kick goal

Finland 1-3 England: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lightning bolt lit up the evening with a stunning free-kick goal

Football — 10/14/2024

After the turmoil of their loss to Greece, England managed to regain some control on the field with a 3-1 Nations League victory over Finland at the Olympic Stadium. While much of the match was uneventful, it was marked by a brilliant free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

England returned to winning ways in the Nations League after beating Finland in Helsinki

Off the field, however, uncertainty continues. The lead-up to the game was clouded by doubts over whether interim coach Lee Carsley, the FA’s favored candidate to permanently succeed Gareth Southgate, even wants the position.

Despite the victory, it feels as though England have entered a state of stagnation, waiting for either Carsley to confirm his intentions or for the FA to appoint a permanent manager after the final Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland next month.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kick to help the Three Lions bounce back

Following the failed tactics in the Greece game, Carsley took a more cautious approach this time, with solid performances from Angel Gomes and Jack Grealish standing out.

However, the match seemed overshadowed by the ongoing uncertainty regarding the next manager. England may not be as dominant as some fans believe, but they still boast some of the best individual talents in the sport.

Jack Grealish opened the scoring in the first half before toasting the birth of his daughter

Carsley has consistently avoided confirming any interest in taking the England job permanently, despite frequent prompts from the media. On the eve of this match, reports surfaced suggesting he may not want the position.

If true, this doesn’t reflect poorly on Carsley as a coach—perhaps the opposite. It indicates that he might not be driven by the same relentless ambition that defines many of his peers, suggesting he has different life priorities.

Declan Rice poked in the visitors' third on an improved evening for interim boss Lee Carsley

 

Grealish latched onto Angel Gomes' fine pass before tucking his finish into the far corner
Grealish latched onto Angel Gomes’ fine pass before tucking his finish into the far corner

However, this situation is far from ideal for the FA. The uncertainty has caused confusion within the organization and among fans, creating a leadership vacuum within the England setup.

This ambiguity has also stalled the team’s progress following Gareth Southgate’s departure. When it seemed likely that Carsley would be the next manager, the otherwise less significant Nations League games still carried a sense of purpose.