Failed experiments in the group stage forced coach Gareth Southgate to put all his faith in young talent Kobbie Mainoo in the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Slovakia.

 

Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo officially made English football history when he played in the match against Slovakia in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 on the night of June 30, Vietnam time.

Accordingly, at the age of 19 years and 72 days, Mainoo became the youngest player to be in the starting lineup of the “Three Lions” in the knockout round of a Euro.

Kobbie Mainoo played confidently in his first appearance in the official squad (Photo: Getty)

Kobbie Mainoo is a name that fans and football experts in the “Foggy Land” have high expectations for at Euro this year despite only turning 19, especially in the context of the English midfield playing like “chickens with hair caught” in the 3 group stage matches.

Manager Gareth Southgate has been constantly experimenting with who to partner Declan Rice with after not calling up Kalvin Phillips due to fitness issues. In the first two matches of Group C against Serbia and Denmark, Southgate pushed Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield and it didn’t work; while in the remaining match against Slovenia, Conor Gallagher was the name “chosen to entrust” but was replaced early in the second half.

Mainoo was the one who came on to replace Gallagher, the young Manchester United player had an impressive 45 minutes, receiving much praise from experts. What had to happen happened, Mainoo was named by coach Southgate in the starting lineup for the match against Slovakia.

Kobbie Mainoo meets coach Gareth Southgate’s expectations (Photo: Getty)

The 19-year-old was the brightest star of England’s play on a day when the Three Lions’ stars played like they were wearing lead on their feet. Passing the ball well, confidently holding the ball, dribbling, and daring to make the decision to shoot, no one would have thought Mainoo would be England’s “youngest player” at this year’s Euro.

Mainoo played 84 minutes in this match before being substituted for Eberechi Eze. He completed 96% of his passes (65/68), had 77 touches, won 3/5 duels, and was rated 7.1 points by Sofascore.