Callum Wilson got his first appearance for England in over three years in the 6-2 World Cup opening win against Iran on Monday. The striker came on for Harry Kane in the 76th minute with the match comfortably in England’s hands up 5-1.
There was more to come as Wilson teed up Jack Grealish in the 90th minute to get his first goal contribution since his debut goal against The United States in 2018. Wilson had an opportunity to a second goal to his international tally but unselfishly laid the ball on a plate for Grealish.
After the match, Wilson was asked about his assist. He revealed he was not tempted to go for goal with the pass being the right option. The Chronicle has published the following from the 30-year-old:
“No, always, as a striker, you want to score, you’re playing in a World Cup, you want to score a goal at the World Cup. But you have to make the right decision on the pitch, it’s about the team, not me as an individual.
“I think for me, in that moment, I made the decision to square it. It was the right one, the angle was closing up. You get repaid – that’s what happens in football, you give back and you receive as well so we’ll see how we go.
“As a player, as a striker you get given an opportunity, you’re coming away, you have to be ready to take it whether you’re first choice, second choice or third choice. There are players in the past, famous strikers you know, that didn’t play a minute in the group games and ended up becoming a hero and scoring in a World Cup final.
“So it’s a squad at the end of the day, it’s about the team and you just have to be ready when the opportunity arises. When you get given an opportunity, you have to make sure that you try and grasp it with both hands.
“We were winning the game, we were able to make a substitution, I came on and had a goal contribution, which is nice to add to the victory.”
Wilson is an experienced player who will not take this opportunity for granted. He came on and did exactly what Gareth Southgate would have wanted. The England boss declared he particularly liked England’s final goal saying:
“What I particularly liked was Jack Grealish’s goal with Callum Wilson on. He could have been selfish but he was thinking of the team even at that moment. I’m a miserable so and so. I should be more excited but I have to keep the team on the right track.”
Next up for England is a youthful United States team with a number of England-based players including Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, Fulham duo Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, and Leeds pair Tyler Roberts and Brenden Aaronson. They drew 1-1 against Wales today.
England is the class of the group and will provide a very difficult test for the inexperienced Americans. It’s probably four years too soon for the USA to do any damage. Though with youngsters Joe Scally, Yunus Musah, and Gio Reyna (son of former Sunderland midfielder Claudio) in tow, the future is brighter than it has been in years. The present is England’s.
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62 comments so far
Wor B
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:27 AM
Comment #41Stranger things…
England do now look like a version of Newcastle, although I’d say the transition from defence into attack is a little more measured with a slightly more cautious approach.
Seems Eddie’s way is becoming Gareth’s way!
The Wilson lay-off for Grealish was sublime, couldn’t have wished for a better passage of play to make Jack reflect further on his foolishness.
🙂
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:36 AM
Comment #42Wor B,
When Miggy gets his player of the season award it would be so funny if he makes a reference to Miggy.
check the toastie
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:42 AM
Comment #43Wor B – I think you are right.
Still think we might struggle at the back once we meet a decent team mind. Could get ripped to shreds be Mbappe and co. (Tripps included)
But at least it appears we maybe a decent watch whilst it lasts
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:45 AM
Comment #44ctt,
Learning the art of back handed compliments, you’ll soon be giving another poster competition.
Wor B
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:45 AM
Comment #45Haha
Miggy walks sheepishly on to the stage with the look of ‘who me?’, humility personified. Then mumbles some unintelligible words in Spanish before whispering ‘Thank you Jack’ and shuffling off with that ear to ear smile.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:58 AM
Comment #46So do we think Kuol will get twenty minutes tonight?
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Comment #47I’m giving up on FFL, the website is unusable.
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:01 AM
Comment #48No complaints about Southgate last night. Very surprised to see us pin them in their half all game. If we keep playing this way we could win the tournament.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Comment #49Nicely done by fifa/football authorities in letting another bad head injured player decide for themselves, in a haze, to stay on the field… decisive!
…then add 24 mins. Ffs!
Madness!
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:13 AM
Comment #50I know people say politics should be left out football, but hats off to the Iranian players for refusing to sing the anthem.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:18 AM
Comment #51ZG
Agree, worthwhile action.
…and ‘people’ would be wrong, on that.
Leave politics out of life, ‘cos i don’t wanna think/care/be lumbered with any responsibility!?!
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:21 AM
Comment #52https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/21/wales-fans-have-rainbow-coloured-hats-confiscated-before-usa-game-in-qatar?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
More pathetic shoite!
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:24 AM
Comment #53I think they were protesting (or virtue signalling) against a woman being beaten to death for wearing the wrong type of hijab.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:34 AM
Comment #54ZG
If you’re putting yourself in danger by doing something, not sure we can refer to it as virtue signalling?
…but doing/saying nowt is definitely tacit acceptance, hey?
So some regular people have more balls than the england football organisation. Specially as they risk possible arrest.
Who knows what the Iranian football team risk, compared with england fc? For instance!
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:37 AM
Comment #55I was being sarcastic Clint, knowing the people who opposed the knee will be fully behind the Iran team.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Comment #56ZG
Sorry mate!
You’re dead right!
Sometimes we miss the meaning in type.
My bad!
😉
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Comment #57Oh!
…and well said!
lesh
Nov 22, 2022 at 8:57 AM
Comment #58ZG
Those Iranian players who refused to sing their national anthem have put themselves and their relatives at great risk. Whether located in Iran or not, the Iranian authorities will make their lives difficult, to say the least.
A very brave act that goes way beyond virtue signalling.
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 22, 2022 at 9:09 AM
Comment #59Yeah Lesh, very brave. I saw footage today of the soldiers joining in with the protestors so their regime can’t last long. Trouble is when the women protest, it’s the soldiers mams, sisters and wives so the gvt lose control. The same thing happened in Russia when the Czars went down.
lesh
Nov 22, 2022 at 9:27 AM
Comment #60ZG
One thing’s certain and that is the Iranian regime won’t go easily. The Ayatollas have great influence and there’s strong support from fundamentalists among Iran’s population.
Let’s not forget there’s a lot of oil under Iran and it goes without saying that the US will be watching with interest and encouraging dissent. Like Iraq and Libya before it, Iran will be ‘liberated’ but the unrest won’t go away quickly.
Another fine mess etc but….
Anyway, enough of that.
snowdone
Nov 22, 2022 at 9:29 AM
Comment #61Let’s get real here. The England team is here to play football. Harry Kane would have risked a sending off if he wore the band. There’s been plenty of publicity for inclusion and Fifa have been rightly shown up for their toadying. Qatar have also had the spotlight shone on their policies.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 22, 2022 at 9:47 AM
Comment #62…carry on… nothing to see here…
😉