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What a day for Tottenham Hotspur players! England's national team came from two goals down to win 3-2 over international rivals and World Cup holders Germany in Berlin today and looked really good doing it. Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy each scored crackers before Eric Dier headed home the match winner in extra time.
Both England and Germany put out what looked like very strong sides for this friendly, the first of two for England in this international period. Four Tottenham players started in England's 11: Kane, Dier, Dele Alli, and Danny Rose, and all four looked very good.
The first half was a little weird for England: the Three Lions comported themselves quite well against a Germany side that featured Toni Kroos, Meszut Özil, Mats Hummels, and Sami Khedira. Germany struck first off of a Toni Kroos shot – a "Kroos missile" if you will – that was made even weirder when starting England keeper Jack Butland had apparently injured his leg on a routine clearance just seconds before. Butland was eventually stretchered off with Fraser Forster replacing him.
Germany should've been up 2-0 before halftime, but a Mario Gomez strike was incorrectly ruled offside. Even though they were down, England looked good against the hosts and Dele Alli was notably given high praise by the commentators at halftime.
Gomez put Germany up 2-0 early in the second half, but after that it was all England. Harry Kane pulled one back with a dazzling bit of skill – a Cruyff turn, no less – and minutes later Leicester striker Jamie Vardy equalled the score with an impressive flick past Manuel Neuer. Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier then capped the win in the first minute of extra time with a header past Neuer off of a Jordan Henderson corner kick and England celebrated a truly memorable victory.
All four Tottenham players were exceptional during the match: Kane looked good all match and his goal was a superb bit of skill. Dier looked like he was energy-saving mode for much of the match but still shielded Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling capably and was well placed for the winning header. Dele Alli was the clear man of the match; he was all over the pitch creating havoc and putting himself in good positions. He should've scored when he found himself wide open in the box late in the match but inexplicably skied his shot over the bar. Finally, Danny Rose was the better of the two England fullbacks on the day, looking good going forward and capable in defense against a high-powered German offense.
It was certainly a team win for England, but all eyes were on the Tottenham players the entire match, and England even pressed in midfield in a very, well, Tottenhamish manner. All four Spurs players hopefully cemented their place on the plane to the Euros this summer, and with Nathaniel Clyne not looking particularly great, it might also bode well for the chances of Kyle Walker, who did not make it into the match. Best of all, no Spurs players were injured.
TOTTENHAM IS GONNA WIN EURO 2016
— Cartilage Free Capt. (@cartilagefree) March 26, 2016
It was a great win that will certainly bolster England fans' feelings about their chances heading into this summer's Euro 2016 competition. And after the match, Harry Kane gave a vintage Harry Kane interview to the media.
@cartilagefree Harry Kane's got the entire England team buzzing like he always is pic.twitter.com/Pu9G3aFKxr
— Najid (@NajidRehman_) March 26, 2016
England returns home to face the Netherlands in the second friendly of the international break this Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.