Roy Keane singles out Trent Alexander-Arnold after Quansah’s England error

Roy Keane questioned Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive instincts after Croatia’s equaliser against England, despite acknowledging that Jarell Quansah made the initial mistake.

The ITV pundit criticised the right-back’s reaction as England won 2-1 at Wembley, saying: “At his age, it’s like he’ll never learn that side of it.”

What Roy Keane said about Trent Alexander-Arnold

Croatia levelled in the 59th minute. Quansah’s weak header back towards Jordan Pickford fell to Petar Sučić, who clipped the ball into the roof of the net. You can read the full story in our England 2-1 Croatia report.

Keane accepted that Quansah had made the error, but focused on how Alexander-Arnold reacted to the danger.

“You have to look at Trent in these positions,” Keane said on ITV Sport, as Football365 reported. “I know Quansah has panicked. But Trent, you talk about smelling danger and people peeling off the back of him. They’re the bits he’s got to improve on.

“He’s walking away from the danger. At his age, it’s like he’ll never learn that side of it. I’d love to know what he’s thinking. I don’t understand.”

Keane: England got the job done

Keane acknowledged it was always going to be tougher than last time. “It was a tricky game for England because they hammered Croatia recently,” he said, a reference to the 7-0 win in Rijeka in October.

He also gave Tuchel’s patched-up defence some leeway, according to Football365. “Croatia were much better, as you’d expect. England had a new centre-half partnership and there was a little bit of panic in the second half with some of their defending. But they got the job done.”

Tuchel himself called it a “perfect evening”.

Some supporters questioned Keane’s criticism

Some supporters questioned Keane’s criticism on social media, GIVEMESPORT reported, arguing the goal was down to Quansah’s header rather than Alexander-Arnold’s positioning.

“The goal that Croatia scored wasn’t Trent’s fault,” one wrote. Another said: “Quansah with an absolute howler for Croatia’s goal but Roy Keane going mad at Trent Alexander-Arnold.”

Quansah did make amends within minutes. He won the penalty that Harry Kane scored in the 64th minute, Kane’s 92nd England goal, on the night his 126th cap made him England’s most-capped men’s player.

Alexander-Arnold was taken off in the 77th minute, with Ben White replacing him. Our England player ratings have the full verdict on every player.

Spain next

England finish their Nations League group against Spain in Madrid on Sunday, knowing victory would secure top spot. Both sides have already qualified for the quarter-finals, but Spain need only a draw to finish first.

Kick-off is 7.45pm on ITV1, and our Spain vs England TV guide has all the details.