England set unwanted record but World Cup hope restored with Southgate statement

The roar of the Wembley crowd told its own story. From the brink of despair to a glorious, morale-boosting comeback in the space of 12 minutes and then a cruel sucker punch.

It was a six-goal thriller which at least restored some hope for England in their last match before the World Cup. Gareth Southgate looked mightily relieved at the final whistle, hugged his opposite number Hansi Flick and then probably thought about what might have been.

The glorious four minutes after Harry Kane smashed a penalty into the top corner to put England ahead so late on in a remarkable comeback from being 2-0 down. But then, rather in keeping with the defensive shambles, England keeper Nick Pope gifted Kai Havertz a last gasp equaliser.

It was cruel and also means that England have now gone six competitive games without a win which is their worst run in the nation's footballing history.

But at least it has restored some hope, maybe it is false hope, but it does just give back that joy and optimism when all seemed lost. It was another awful night for Harry Maguire who gifted Germany a penalty and was at fault for another, while Pope also showed why it is so important that Jordan Pickford to get back to fitness for Qatar.

But this team is not far from being Southgate's first choice starting line-up to face Iran in their Group opener in eight weeks' time. And there are still many issues and problems to solve before then but at least the grit and determination showed England are in there fighting for their under-pressure boss.

England fell apart after 52 minutes when Maguire's sloppy pass gifted the ball to Jamal Musiala, the Germany forward skipped forward and Maguire completed his nightmare by tripping him. Incredibly, referee Danny Makkelie waved away appeals, but VAR stepped in and gave the most obvious penalty you will ever see and up stepped Ilkay Gundogan to fire home.

It threatened to turn really toxic when Maguire gave the ball away in midfield after 67 minutes, Germany raced forward and Kai Havertz curled an absolutely beautiful shot into the far corner. England looked ragged and beyond hope.

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Then Southgate, so often ridiculed for not being able to make changes, worked wonders as on came Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka.

Suddenly England were back in the game.

After 71 minutes, Luke Shaw was at the back post and his drilled, low shot squeezed over the goal line to end an incredible run of 522 minutes without a goal from open play. The crowd turned up the volume, the belief returned and four minutes later it got even better. Some magic from Saka pushed England forward, Mount turned and then fired home a sweet shot from the edge of the box which flew into the net.

What a moment. England fans were delirious and in dreamland - then it got even better.

VAR came into plat again as Nico Schlotterbeck's crude challenge scythed down Jude Bellingham and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Kane and smashed his 51st goal for England into the top corner to go within two goals of Wayne Rooney's record. It looked as if a morale-boosting win was in the bag.

But perhaps in keeping with England's sloppiness they let it slip again.

Leroy Sane's shot was easy enough for England keeper Nick Pope and yet his distribution had been sloppy all night, he looked nervous and spilled the ball straight to Havertz to level it up.

It was cruel on England, harsh on Southgate and yet still plenty of encouragement even if it ended in frustration at Wembley. But at least hope has been restored.

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