Michael Owen, former England striker, has asserted that the team's reaction to their victory over Mexico, which involved playing a significant portion of the match with 10 men, was a misinterpretation of footballing bravery. He believes the team needs to exhibit a different kind of courage if they are to succeed against top-tier opponents like France, Spain, or Argentina.
Owen acknowledged the character and belief the squad displayed in overcoming adversity, noting that fans have a right to be proud of their resilience. However, he distinguishes this from what he considers genuine football bravery: the willingness to consistently seek possession under pressure, to show for the ball when others are hesitant, and to support teammates in difficult situations. He suggested that the public's perception of bravery in this instance bordered on glorifying players putting their bodies on the line as if in combat.
"A football is a bag of air," Owen stated, implying that physical sacrifice in this context is less significant than the mental fortitude required to control the game. He observed that during the first half against Mexico, England struggled with possession, consistently giving the ball away and inviting pressure. The performance, while ultimately resulting in a win, was characterized by a lack of control and was not, in his view, one of England's greatest.
He pointed to instances like Jarell Quansah's red card and a penalty awarded against Harry Kane as self-inflicted difficulties that necessitated the defensive effort that followed. Owen expressed concern if this approach becomes the team's blueprint, suggesting it contradicts the philosophy of manager Thomas Tuchel, who he believes aims for a team that presses, controls possession, and plays with courage under pressure.
Owen drew parallels to past England performances, including the Euro 2020 final against Italy, where he felt the team retreated after scoring, a behavior he did not consider brave. He highlighted successful international teams like Spain, who consistently offer multiple passing options, and Brazil's approach in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final, where they maintained possession even after going down to 10 men.
Owen warned that a similar performance against elite teams like France, Spain, or Argentina would be severely punished. He stressed that extended periods without the ball or careless possession against such opposition would lead to defeat.
Despite his critique, Owen acknowledged a positive in the current squad's genuine belief, forged through adversity. He noted that while winning ugly can be a part of tournament football, the next challenge for England is to demonstrate their ability to play with composure and courage. He concluded that achieving ultimate success depends on exhibiting true footballing bravery, suggesting the players possess the necessary talent to do so.