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San Marino goalkeeper Elia Benedettini has been hailed by fans for producing a ‘masterclass’ against England to help keep the score modest in their 5-0 loss at Wembley on Thursday.
England felt comfortable against the European minnows, ranked as the worst team in the world, but could have easily racked up a much bigger score, with Benedettini producing a handful of great saves from Jesse Lingard and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
In the end, England topped in their first World Cup qualifying match thanks to debut goals from James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins and goals from Raheem Sterling and a double from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
ITV experts claimed that it should have been ‘seven or eight’ at the halftime interval, and indeed it could have been without the 25-year-old’s presence, with some admitting their surprise on social media that it wasn’t even The first option. for a third level Italian team.
This San Marino goalkeeper is a really good goalkeeper! Launching with ease making some top saves, ‘said one fan.
Another claimed that Cesena’s shooting stopper, who has yet to play for his club since joining Janaury, was ‘definitely trying to make a great play’, and one user called his screen ‘a masterclass’, and added: ‘@LFC, are you watching? ‘
Lingard was denied by the man between the posts on a few occasions when the West Ham loaned midfielder desperately tried to score his good form with an England goal, but was frustrated when he saw two rejected shots.
One supporter said that Benedettini “does not want Jesse Lingard to give him a little touch”, referring to the classic celebration of the Manchester United star.
As the high praise for him continued on Twitter, a meme compared him to the German Manuel Neuer, who was once considered the best goalkeeper in world soccer.
It wasn’t all easy being powerless to see England beat him with five, including a weak effort to keep out Raheem Sterling’s effort to make it 3-0.
One player Benedettini couldn’t stop was rookie Watkins, who fulfilled every child’s dream of scoring for the Three Lions in their first international game.
The Aston Villa star was almost speechless as he spoke to the media after the game, admitting he was “over the moon.”
“It’s unbelievable,” he told ITV. It’s what I dreamed of, being at the hotel today. I was just hoping to get the chance and enjoy it, to get the chance to score and I didn’t think it would happen. I am speechless to be honest!
It was a good trip [Starting at Exeter]. I’m honored to come here, wear this jersey, and play with these players. To score on my debut, you couldn’t write it. I’m over the moon. ‘
Watkins insists that he was unwilling to push himself too hard before his big day, claiming he would have been happy just to run away.
“ I just wanted to get on the field, I didn’t know if I was going to do it. Conor Coady had a head butt so it looked like I didn’t, but I got a chance and I can’t believe it. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play here.
Speaking about his chances of being part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro team, he added: “ I have to take every match as it comes, focus on my club form, play consistently for Villa and help my team improve the table and enter Europe.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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