Gareth Southgate takes heaviest flak as Europe's big guns struggle in Nations League

The Uefa Nations League was invented to put jeopardy where there used to be indifference, to replace turgid friendlies with competitive zest.

Mostly it has worked. But to look at the topsy-turvy hierarchy of this, the competition’s third edition, is to see levels of jeopardy becoming very uncomfortable for countries and coaches who regard themselves as Europe’s heavyweights.

The world champions – and the Nations League’s defending champions – France, are bottom of their group. The European champions, Italy, spent Tuesday evening leaking goals against Germany, and put only a thin veil over an embarrassing scoreline with two late strikes in a 5-2 defeat.

Not that the Germans can feel especially smug. That was their first win in four outings so far in a group now led by Hungary.

But no doubt where the most caustic criticism is landing after this two-week, end-of-term addition to a draining club season.

England, narrowly beaten in the final of the European Championship only 11 months ago, suffered their biggest home defeat in 94 years against Hungary, 4-0, with 10 men on the field - John Stones a little unfortunate to be shown a second yellow card - at the end and a Molineux crowd chanting at manager Gareth Southgate: “You don’t know what you’re doing!”

ENGLAND RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 6: Left badly exposed due to defensive shambles in front of him, although arguably could have done better with at least one of the goals. Bar picking ball out of net four times, not really much to do as Hungary picked England off with ease. Getty

Southgate is entitled to regard the fevered, heated reaction of those watching and the scepticism about him that is now spreading across England’s media and punditry as forgetful and severe.

He has