Coming in to the match against Switzerland in Basel, Chelsea FC’s Gary Cahill was a doubt with an ankle injury that he suffered in the friendly against Norway last week. He missed the training leading up to the match as a precaution but was called up to the starting eleven for the match. Had it been another friendly it is likely he would not have played but this match was one that counted.
England started off well enough and looked the more threatening side in the first half. Wayne Rooney had a few half chances but his best chance was easily saved by the Swiss keeper and it appeared to lack conviction. The next best chance was a 3 on 1 breakaway lead by Danny Welbeck who had Raheem Sterling and Rooney waiting at the penalty spot for his low cross.
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The Arsenal forward was clearly of two minds as he sent his pass between the two and just out of the reach of Sterling. The pair would link up in the second half to give England the lead they would not relinquish to a dangerous Swiss side. Rooney lead the break and found a streaking Sterling down the left side who then crossed it to Welbeck for the first time finish.
Just minutes after England took the lead, the ever dangerous Haris Seferovic was on the counter and was given the benefit of the doubt when he was clearly offside. He had a 1v1 with Joe Hart, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball towards goal but Gary Cahill came to the rescue and saved England’s three points. It was typically heroic defending for the Chelsea man and a move we have come to expect from him.
Late on in the match Cahill was given the captain’s armband as England looked to protect their slim lead. He made another key clearance late on until Danny Welbeck scored his second of the match to seal all three points for the Three Lions.
Here is Gary Cahill’s excellent clearance:
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