From 'Dip it like Dier' to Roy 'Rob'son: How Twitter reacted to England's draw with Russia

England’s European Championship campaign didn’t get off to the best possible start as a late goal from Russia’s Vasili Berezutski meant the Three Lions had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Marseille on Sunday. The Englishmen who had never won their opening game in a European Championship before, seemed motivated to get the monkey off the back, but had nothing to show for a vibrant first-half display.

In the second half, England staved off an early Russian recovery to hit the front in the 73rd minute through a stunning free-kick from Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier. But just as when it appeared that England would break the age-old jinx of failing to win their opening Euro encounter, Berezutski struck in stoppage time to break English hearts.

The English fans were left with a bad taste in the mouth despite seeing their team dominate most parts of the game. But Twitteratti were once again at their best, trolling England football team and their manager for failing to come good at the big stage.

The day however started with some Grammar Nazism.

England failed to make the breakthrough despite making a good start and it was beginning to be like the same old story for the Three Lions. Surprisingly Harry Kane was on corner duty and Twitter just couldn’t handle it.

Kane offside? Must have been slow getting back from taking a corner or something.

— Christopher Duggan (@McDuggan33) June 11, 2016

It was a set-piece though which did the trick for England but it was not Kane scoring directly from the corner. Instead, Eric Dier, one of Kane’s five Tottenham Hotspur team-mates in the England line-up stepped up to fire a scorching free-kick in the 73rd minute. England fans went crazy. They just found the ’next Beckham'

From Bend it like Beckham to Dip it Like Dier

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 11, 2016

12 years ago, a 10-year-old Dier was getting Beckham's autograph at #eng training at Euro 2004. Now he's scoring free-kicks....1-0 #eng

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 11, 2016

Perhaps these were the emotions England fans went through when Eric Dier was poised to take that free-kick

Not Dier. Please. For the love of God not Dier... he's .. WHAT A GOAL!!!! 1-0 #Eng

— Omid Djalili (@omid9) June 11, 2016

Historic!

10 - Eric Dier scored the first England free kick goal in a major tournament in 10 years (David Beckham v Ecuador, 2006). Rocket.

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) June 11, 2016

But Russia equalized late in the game and England fans turned on their favourite scapegoat - Roy ‘Woy’ Hodgson

Apparently an English soccer coach is doing something bad because Twitter is blaming me for it.

— Mike Woycheck (@woy) June 11, 2016

Michael Ballack just called #RoyHodgson Roy Robson. Top notch analysis.

— Sasha Hemon 🇧🇦🇺🇦 (@SashaHemon) June 11, 2016

Roy Hodgson Always Looks Confused, Like He's Gone Out But Can't Remember If He Turned The Oven Off.

— Asa Webb (@AsaWebb91) June 12, 2016

Anything goes wrong, blame it on LvG, that’s the new ‘philosophy’

Can you stop Kane from taking this corners
Are you LVG in disguise?

— Osaro (@osaroosamagie) June 11, 2016

When legends had their say

Didn't deserve that, played very well. One gripe, if you don't bring Vardy on in that game when else would you? Pace on CA & ageing CB's.

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) June 11, 2016

And were made to look like fools

The way England have started it's hard to see us not winning this tournament.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 11, 2016

Some still tried to find some joy out of the disappointing result. Had to be a Liverpool fan!

That's a substitution made in @LFC Summer 2015.
Sterling out and Milner in.

— Craig (@CraiginKent) June 11, 2016