In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves through English football, Gareth Southgate's Three Lions suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat against Latvia in their World Cup 2025 qualifying campaign.
Upset in Riga
The match, played in front of a passionate Latvian crowd, saw the home side defy all expectations with a performance that exposed serious flaws in England's setup. Despite being heavy favourites, England struggled to impose their game from the opening whistle.
Latvia took a surprise lead in the 28th minute after capitalising on defensive errors, sending the home supporters into raptures. England's response was laboured, with the usually prolific attack failing to break down a disciplined Latvian defence.
Second Half Collapse
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Latvia doubled their advantage early in the second half. The goal came against the run of play but highlighted England's vulnerability on the counter-attack.
England managed to pull one back through a late consolation goal, but it proved too little, too late. The final whistle confirmed one of the most surprising results in recent World Cup qualifying history.
Questions for Southgate
This defeat raises serious questions about England's direction under Gareth Southgate. Despite reaching the latter stages of recent tournaments, this performance highlighted familiar issues:
- Defensive fragility against counter-attacks
- Lack of creativity in midfield
- Ineffectiveness against organised defences
- Questionable team selection decisions
The result leaves England's World Cup qualification hopes hanging in the balance, with crucial matches ahead that now carry increased pressure.
What Next for the Three Lions?
With the Euro 2024 campaign now behind them, all eyes turn to how England will respond to this setback. The performance will inevitably lead to calls for tactical changes and potentially a rethink of Southgate's long-term position.
English fans will be hoping this proves to be a wake-up call rather than the beginning of a more serious decline. The road to World Cup 2025 has suddenly become much more complicated for the Three Lions.
