Jack Grealish has admitted he offered Trent Alexander-Arnold £500 if he scored England’s free-kick to put them 2-0 up against Finland on Sunday evening.
The Three Lions looked a world away from the team that slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Greece when they traveled to Helsinki for their UEFA Nations League clash with Finland. Manchester City star Grealish scored the first goal of the game, putting England ahead in the 18th minute.
Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold was next to add his name to the scoreboard, bending a powerful free-kick over the Finland wall and past Lukas Hradecky between the posts. His efforts doubled England’s lead, before a late strike from Declan Rice in the final moments of the game clinched a goal. 3-1 victory for the visitors.
Speaking after the game, Grealish admitted he and Alexander-Arnold had spoken before the free-kick.
“I joked with Trent before the free throw, ‘Score that, I’ll give you £500’ and he slapped him in the top bins,” he said. city said the extreme ITV Sport.
He also took time to reflect on his own goal, sharing praise for manager Lee Carsley as he did so.
“We could have had a few more goals, but it was difficult at times,” he continued. “The goal came from the coach who let us play with that freedom. I play with Angel Gomes in training and I know what a great player he is. The celebration was for my youngest daughter.
“Whatever happens with the England manager, people will always say negative things. Before, people were clamoring for all the attacking players to play and it didn’t work. I don’t understand, it can happen in games. I love coming. here, he is a top coach and I love playing with him.”
