Harry Kane offers more to England than simply goals, says Kieran Trippier, who is not concerned about the striker's lack of touches in Sunday's 1-0 win over Serbia.
Jude Bellingham's goal was the difference as England recorded a hard-fought victory to open their Group C campaign, meaning they have started all four of their major tournaments under Gareth Southgate with a win.
However, their performance attracted criticism from some quarters as England managed just five shots to Serbia's six, accumulating a total of 0.52 expected goals (xG).
Kane was a victim of the cagey nature of the contest, recording fewer touches (24) and successful passes (nine) than any other England starter.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at least doubled both of those tallies, having 48 touches and completing 25 passes.
Kane did go close to giving England a two-goal cushion in the second half as he saw a header tipped onto the crossbar by Predrag Rajkovic, but Trippier says he should not be judged purely on goals.
"Obviously it was difficult because they played five at the back, but what people don't realise is what Harry does off the ball," Trippier told reporters in the mixed zone.
"Of course, he scores goals but what he did for the team today was incredible, holding the ball up and bringing other players into play.
"People just focus on goals with Harry but internally, as team-mates, we appreciate what he does off the ball."
England have, however, kept five successive clean sheets in group-stage matches at the Euros, the longest such run in the competition's history.
"I would say it's about managing the game," Trippier continued. "There will always be moments in games where the opposition will have a spell of 10 or 15 minutes of possession.
"It's about being nice and compact and not conceding. We have got experienced players in the group like [Kyle] Walker, Harry, myself, players that can help the younger players manage the games. I thought we did that tonight."
Fans were hoping to see a free-flowing England display after watching Germany and Spain kick off with resounding wins, but their figure of 0.52 xG is the fourth-lowest of any team to have played at Euro 2024 thus far, after Scotland (0.02), Serbia (0.18) and Albania (0.51).
However, Jarrod Bowen – who teed up Kane's big second-half chance – is not worried about the performances of other nations.
"We are so focused on ourselves and what we can do, other teams are irrelevant. They are their countries and we are England," he said.
"We focus on ourselves and our focus was to win the game not because other teams won, but because it was a statement for us to win the first game going into Thursday.
"That was our mindset coming into this game and that will be it, full focus on us."
Shearer: England without pattern of play due to midfield inbalance
Alan Shearer believes England are yet to find their pattern of play at Euro 2024, with Gareth Southgate struggling to find a balance in midfield.
The Three Lions topped Group C thanks to their goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday but were booed off by fans, and have been subject to criticism for their flat performances along the way.
England created an expected goals (xG) of just 0.8 against Slovenia, while their matches at the tournament have produced the fewest xG (2.26 for, 1.13 against).
Southgate has made just one change to his starting line-ups at the tournament so far, with Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for the last match, though the Chelsea midfielder was switched for Kobbie Mainoo at half-time after failing to make an impact.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Shearer, who played in three major tournaments for England, said: "I really wanted to see a reaction to the criticism the team have been getting but, apart from the final few minutes, it just didn't happen," Shearer said.
"Instead, until some late changes, it was exactly the same sort of disappointing performance we'd already seen twice from Gareth Southgate's side at this tournament.
"We keep on saying there is so much more to come from this team, but Southgate has not found the balance to get the best out of his players. That is the biggest thing that needs to change if we are going to see them play like they do for their clubs.
"One of the most concerning things about watching England is that I don't see a pattern of play when we bring the ball forward. I just see us struggling to find one.
"The way Phil Foden and [Jude] Bellingham are being used together has not been a success, which is why I thought the better route would be to use Bellingham alongside [Declan] Rice and put Foden as the number 10."
It is not only in midfield that Shearer thinks England are having problems, as Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden struggled to make an impact up front.
Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer were late introductions off the bench for Southgate's side, with England looking more of a threat through them in stoppage time.
"The move right at the end that started with Bellingham and Gordon on the left and ended with Palmer's shot being saved was probably the best thing we did all night," Shearer added.
"It was the only time at these Euros that I saw us move the ball from left to right with pace, and it caused the opposition problems.
"We need to see much more of that, and Palmer and Gordon could be the key to providing the spark and energy we have been badly missing. That's what gives me the most hope, because there's not been very much else to get excited about.
"Palmer and Gordon have given Southgate something massive to think about - and he has got some huge decisions to make."
Mexico captain Alvarez ruled out for rest of Copa America
Mexico captain Edson Alvarez will miss the remainder of the Copa America after suffering a hamstring injury in their opening match against Jamaica.
Alvarez was in tears as he left the pitch just 30 minutes into El Tri's 1-0 victory in Houston on Saturday, having gone down clutching his right hamstring.
It has now been confirmed that the West Ham midfielder will play no further part in Mexico's campaign, which continues against Venezuela on Wednesday.
In a video posted to the team's social media accounts, Alvarez said: "I had that dream just like my team-mates but sometimes these things happen in football and I will have to learn and grow from all this.
"I have made the decision to stay with the team until the end, to support and encourage them, as I always have done.
"Now it will be my turn off the field. It will also help my rehabilitation and I will return as soon as possible."
After facing Venezuela, Mexico round off their Group B campaign versus Ecuador on Sunday.
Messi reveals hamstring issue after Argentina's win over Chile
Lionel Messi has revealed he played through discomfort in his right hamstring as Argentina beat Chile 1-0 in their second match at the Copa America on Tuesday.
Lautaro Martinez came off the bench to score an 88th-minute winner as the world champions secured qualification for the quarter-finals with one match to spare.
Messi failed to score for a second successive game at the tournament, only recording one shot worth 0.02 expected goals (xG), though he did create a game-high five chances for his team-mates.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also led all players on the pitch for passes in the final third (18) and completed seven of his 11 attempted dribbles – both match-high figures.
Boss Lionel Scaloni has now been handed a major worry, however, with Messi revealing he played through the pain barrier.
"I felt some discomfort in my right hamstring at the beginning of the game. It was tight." Messi said.
"It wasn't as loose as it should've been, but I was able to finish the game. We'll see how it goes."
Messi could get a rest when Argentina face Peru in their final Group A match on Saturday, though, with only a point required to secure top spot.
Scaloni said: "Against Peru, the guys who didn't get minutes in these matches will play."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
