Jamie Vardy
While speaking in an exclusive interview with Dailymail UK, Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, explained that England’s inadequate preparation ahead of their round of 16 clash against debutant, Iceland at the 2016 European Championship in France, led to their shock exit in the hands of the minnows.
Despite England taking the lead from the penalty spot through Wayne Rooney, Iceland still went on to win 2-1 to progress into the quarter-finals at the expense of a star-studded English side.
Iceland will be making their first appearance at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia where they are drawn in Group D with Argentina, Nigeria and Croatia.
Vardy who is in the Three Lions squad for the World Cup, reflected on how they were dumped out by Iceland two years ago.
“The Euros was a low for English football. I don’t think we were prepared for every eventuality. When we went a goal behind against Iceland, we didn’t know what to do. A lot of us just expected to win. We weren’t prepared for the game, and it backfired.
“We just didn’t know what to do to get back in the game when we were behind because we just hadn’t planned for it.
“It’s different now. I think if you asked every single player what the difference is now they would say that we are prepared as a team for every scenario.”
The Super Eagles are due to face Iceland in their second Russia 2018 fixture on 22 June.