Gareth Southgate’s first game in permanent charge of England ended in a 1-0 defeat against world champions Germany on Wednesday night.
The former Middlesbrough boss was appointed as Sam Allardyce’s successor back in November after leading the side to two wins and two draws during his interim stint in charge, but a Lukas Podolski strike 21 minutes from time sealed the win for Joachim Low’s men in Dortmund.
Both Dele Alli and Adam Lallana went close as the Three Lions produced an impressive display against the 2014 World Cup winners, but it was ultimately another loss against a quality opposition for England despite an encouraging performance.
Liverpool’s Lallana struck the post while Spurs’ in-form midfielder Alli saw his one-on-one effort well saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Southgate’s side dominated the opening period, only for Podolski to strike an unstoppable effort past Joe Hart in his final game for Germany to secure the win.
Unsurprisingly, many supporters took to social media to express their views on Wednesday’s encounter, with several England fans encouraged by their side’s impressive display in Dortmund…
Encouraging performance, just needed the goals. Keane looks an England player for long time. Alli and Lallana superb. #GERENG #England #ENG
— Chris Buckle (@MrChrisBuckle) March 22, 2017
really good performance should of won but qualifiers are more important #England
— Lee Maddison (@maddmidboca) March 22, 2017
Can only be proud of that performance #england
— Ali Fisher (@asfisher) March 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/sammysimmo/status/844671771731283973
The performances of Alli and Lallana received praise from many on Twitter…
Adam Lallana makes this England team tick. #england #lallana
— Darren Brodie (@brodobaggins5) March 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/WHU_MR2013/status/844666328585850887
Lallana & Ali have been excellent! #GERENG
— CM (@curtismccluskey) March 22, 2017
What a player Dele Alli is. Controlled this game tonight. Should've scored a couple but absolutely brilliant. #ENGGER
— Josh Fitter (@JoshFitter95) March 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/QPRStead/status/844666193210474500
Yet many fans were delighted for Podolski, who scored a stunning goal in his final game for his country, and thus ended his international career with 130 caps and 49 goals for Germany…
Well chuffed for Podolski, great player who deserves that
— Alasdair Herkes (@AlasdairHerkes) March 22, 2017
What a goal! Podolski deserves to score in his final game. Incredible hit! Top bins! #GERENG
— Sunny Randhawa (@SunnyRandhawa) March 22, 2017
Didn't deserve to lose but can do much when your beaten by such a quality strike. Podolski deserves all respect he gets. #GERENG
— Finley Chung (@finleythfc10) March 22, 2017
Ultimately though, it ended in defeat for England, with many fans concerned about the prospect of the ‘same old England’ despite the appointment of a new manager…
#ENGVGER Usual performance by #England = lovely approach play; no end product & a price paid for profligacy in front of goal
— Vinyl Lionel (@My1stRecord) March 22, 2017
Different #England performance. Same old #England result.
— Mike Cook (@sportingmouth) March 22, 2017
Different manager. Same result #England
— ciaran greening (@ciarangreening) March 22, 2017