England’s manager Gareth Southgate has expressed strong confidence that his team can reach the Euro 2024 final, aiming to make history by appearing in an international tournament final on foreign soil for the first time.
The “Three Lions” are set to face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals in Dortmund, Germany. A victory would set up a final clash against Spain. Despite their progress, England’s path hasn’t been easy; they’ve required extra time to overcome both Switzerland and Slovakia in the knockout stages, conceding first in both matches.
“There’s been a definite shift,” Southgate remarked when asked about England’s readiness to peak at the tournament’s climax. “One of the strengths of us over the last seven, eight years has been less fear, less inhibition. But I think at the beginning of the tournament, the expectation weighed quite heavily and of course the external noise was louder than it’s ever been.”
England’s historic FIFA World Cup victory in 1966 and their appearance in the Euro 2020 final against Italy—both at Wembley Stadium in London—highlight their success on home soil. Southgate is eager to break new ground by reaching a final abroad.
Critics have often questioned Southgate’s tactical approach, suggesting that his strategies are overly cautious and don’t fully utilize talents like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Adjustments, such as repositioning Phil Foden to right midfield against Switzerland, have had mixed results despite eventual victories.
“I’m not sure any of the messaging changed but I just felt the group changed,” Southgate explained. “You’re now into that moment in the tournament where it’s ‘what’s possible, what’s achievable’, rather than ‘what might go wrong’. That’s different for players, for an athlete. So, this is now the chance to make history, which we’ve enjoyed doing—that chance to get to a first final not held in England—the first time England will have ever done that.”
England and the Netherlands have a long-standing rivalry, having faced each other 22 times. England has secured six wins, the Netherlands seven, and nine matches have ended in draws. Their last encounter at the Euros was in 1996, where England triumphed with a 4-1 victory during the group stage.
As anticipation builds, fans and players alike are hopeful that Southgate’s leadership will guide England to a historic achievement at Euro 2024.
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Manager Southgate confident in England to make history at Euro 2024
cgtn.com
