The Three Lions’ semifinal victory over the Netherlands will live long in the history of English football, with Ollie Watkins scoring in the 90th minute to ensure Gareth Southgate’s men join Spain at the Olympiastadion on July 14.
Southgate becomes just the second England manager, after Sarina Wiegman in 2022 and 2023, to reach two major tournament finals – and he expressed that the performance in Dortmund showed “the modern England way.”
Ronald Koeman’s Oranje seized an early lead at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday night when Xavi Simons drove determinedly towards the box, stabbing a fierce effort past Jordan Pickford. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Southgate suggested that England “didn’t deserve to be behind.”
“It was a moment, we’d started the game really well and I thought our performance with the ball was exceptional. We caused a lot of problems. It was a very complicated game; they kept changing the way they built up so we had to keep changing how we were defending.”
“The players made so many good decisions on the field,” he added, highlighting “players like Bukayo Saka – the defensive responsibility he had: he started as a wing-back, then he had to go into midfield to defend and then he had to defend as a winger. There were so many things like that going on all night but I was really pleased with the quality of our play.”
Southgate explained: “It shows the modern England way, but also the resilience and the character of the group because Ollie Watkins has trained like that every day and been ready for his moment, no matter how frustrated he might have been at not playing.”
“The whole group has been [ready for their moments] and the way that they’ve formed, it’s a group with a lot of new players in it and half of them had never been to a tournament but they’ve bonded so well and got each others’ back. Tonight was a great example of that.”
One youngster that has particularly impressed in Germany this summer is Kobbie Mainoo, who has seemingly laid claim to a starting berth after yet another commendable performance in midfield.
“All of his performances have been exceptional,” admitted Southgate, “especially when you consider his age. We haven’t really had a player like him until now, so it makes such a difference when your midfielders can receive, press and turn with the ball so easily and comfortably. It looks simple when he does it but it isn’t.”
The Three Lions’ victory also caught the eye of King Charles, with the English monarch asking if he “may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama.”
“I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated,” he continued, and asked about the comments in his press conference, Southgate suggested that the late nature of England’s victories have contributed to “some incredible nights.”
“These games have been dramatic because the goals have come so late. The only reason I took the job was to try and bring success to England as a nation and to improve English football, and to be able to take the team to the first final overseas, I’m immensely proud of that. We’ve come here to win, we’ll play the team that have been the best in the tournament and we’ve a day less to prepare so it’s a huge task but we’re still here and we’re fighting.”
England now prepare for the EURO2024 final against Spain, which will see them take to the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14. The match will get underway at 20:00 BST [21:00 CEST], and you’ll be able to follow extensive coverage throughout the day right here on FromTheSpot.