2. England Finally Have a No.1
His point-blank save against Alou Diarra's thumping header, which came minutes after Lescott's opener, was a far cry from the goalkeeping calamities and bad luck that have blighted No.1s in recent tournaments. However good they've been for their clubs the England goalkeeper jersey has been a poison chalice, with the likes of Robert Green, Scott Carson and even, towards the end, David Seaman making high-profile blunders which sullied their reputations. By contrast, Hart has yet to have such a moment and seemed assured throughout his tournament debut. His calmness must have had a positive effect on the make-shift backline in front of him, his confidence no doubt reinforced by his title winning form last season for Manchester City. He was unlucky not to keep out Nasri's goal, and might have saved it were it even fractionally less powerful or accurate. But regardless of that blip, Hart's was a performance which should satisfy most observers. These days the fact that the England goalkeeper emerged from such a big game without widespread criticism is almost a cause for celebration in itself.