England took to the pitch for their final dress rehearsal ahead of Euro 2024 as they took on Iceland in a friendly at Wembley.
Nearly eight years have passed since Friday’s visitors inflicted one of the most humiliating defeats on England in the history of the national team.
Rather than vanquishing those demons however, England were instead forced to endure another defeat by the team ranked 72nd in FIFA’s rankings, with Jon Thorsteinsson’s opener on 12 minutes ultimately proving the difference.
Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel takes you through some things you might have missed around Friday’s clash at Wembley.
England suffered a 1-0 defeat against Iceland their final game before jetting off to Euro 2024
The Three Lions were undone by an early goal from former Fulham youngster Jon Thorsteinsson
Furore around Grealish
The commotion caused by Jack Grealish’s omission from the final Euro 2024 squad wasn’t restricted to inside the England camp.
Mail Sport understands that various Premier League figures, including managers, have reached out to the Manchester City star to express their shock at Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the squad that departs for Germany on Monday.
The 28-year-old was the headline casualty of Southgate’s squad cull on Thursday, a decision that caused the biggest stir within the squad.
Indeed, a petition for Grealish to be reinstated was raised on change.org on Friday; as of last night the petition had close to 150 signatures.
Gareth Southgate’s decision not to take Jack Grealish to Germany has raised more than a few eyebrows
Guehi has Big Six suitors
Marc Guehi will bide his time before making a decision on his future as he prepares to partner John Stones in the heart of England’s defence in Germany.
The Crystal Palace defender has entered the final two years of his deal and is being monitored by Liverpool and Manchester United.
Guehi is set to start the tournament in the team after Southgate’s decision to drop Harry Maguire, who has been carrying a calf problem, from his final party.
And the 23-year-old wants to focus on the tournament before turning his attentions to next season.
Marc Guehi looks set to start alongside John Stones in Germany and is a transfer target for multiple Premier League clubs
Unwanted Wembley record
Home comforts? Not quite. Iceland’s opener here at Wembley means England have now conceded the opening goal in three consecutive games at the national stadium for the first time since 1954.
Youri Tielemans fired Belgium ahead in March’s 2-2 draw. Three days earlier Endrick scored the only goal as Brazil recorded a 1-0 away victory against Southgate’s men.
Thorsteinsson’s goal on 12 minutes marked the third consecutive game in which England have conceded first at Wembley
Nanna Wharton’s worries
Adam Wharton will be causing opposition managers sleepless nights for years to come. Right now, it’s his grandmother he needs to worry about.
The Crystal Palace midfielder topped off his breakthrough season with a place in England’s 26-man Euros squad this week.
His move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn in a deal worth an initial £18million has been an unadulterated success.
But sometimes nan’s just worry. Wharton’s is no different.
‘He has taken it all in his stride but his grandmas were worried sick, [saying] “oh you need to be careful going to London”,’ Wharton’s dad John told BBC Radio Lancashire.
‘But he’s settled in well. He is in an apartment overlooking the Thames, he is in a lovely place. He is looking at houses down there now.’
Adam Wharton’s dad revealed his grandmother was left worried when he elected to join Crystal Palace earlier this year
Stars discuss their future
Transfer gossip is rife this time of year. It’s been no different inside the England camp, either.
Players have openly discussed their own futures amongst each other since meeting last week.
Southgate goes level with Sir Bobby
The 1-0 loss marked Southgate’s 95th game in charge of the national team, leaving him level with Sir Bobby Robson
The clash against Iceland was Gareth Southgate’s 95th in charge of the senior England side, bringing him level with Sir Bobby Robson.
It places Southgate joint third in the list of England matches managed behind Sir Alf Ramsey (113) and Sir Walter Winterbottom (139)
