Gareth Southgate loved England’s latest late, late show but the much-criticised manager’s full focus quickly switched from a special semi-final triumph to Sunday’s European Championship final against Spain.
Three years on from losing the continental showpiece to Italy on penalties, the Euro 2020 runners-up earned another shot at glory in Berlin this weekend.
England underwhelmed at the start of this summer’s tournament as fans turned on manager Southgate but performances have gradually improved as they progressed through the knockouts.
Jude Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick saved their blushes in the round of 16 against Slovakia and sparked a 2-1 extra-time win, before beating Switzerland on spot-kicks after the quarter-final ended 1-1.
Another 120 minutes were on the cards after Harry Kane’s controversial penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons’ strike, only for substitute Ollie Watkins to seal a 2-1 semi-final triumph at the death.
“I took the job to try and improve English football and we’re now in a second final,” Southgate said. “The last one was the first in 50 years. We’re now in the first that isn’t played on our shores.
“I think we’ve got a team that will be together for quite a while, so it’s not as though this is a team that’s at the end of a cycle.
“We’re giving people some amazing nights. I think we’ve given our supporters some of the best nights over the last 50 years, so I’m hugely proud of that.
“I’m delighted if everybody at home is feeling the way we are and the way the supporters in the stadium are feeling.
“But from our point of view, we’re not finished. We’ve got the greatest possible test to prepare for and we came here to try and win the tournament, and that’s still our aim.”
Watkins’ winner sparked wild celebrations in Dortmund and across England, with new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales among those to send their congratulations.
The King joined in praising Southgate’s side – but urged them to avoid more last-minute drama.
Told of Charles’ comments, the England boss said with a smile: “Well, I hope they are enjoying a few beers, really.
“We’ve had some incredible nights the last seven, eight years. These games have been dramatic because the goals have come so late.
“The only reason I did the job when I took it on was to try and bring success to England as a nation and to try and improve English football.
“To be able to take the team to a first final overseas, I’m immensely proud of that.
“But now, of course, we’ve come here to win. We play the team who have been the best team in the tournament and we have a day less to prepare, so it’s a huge task. But we’re still here and we’re fighting.”
Spain have been the standout team at this tournament, overcoming hosts Germany in the quarter-finals before beating France in Tuesday’s semi-final.
England will be underdogs at the Olympiastadion for a final few expected Southgate’s side to be in after their unconvincing displays.
Boos greeted the group draws against Denmark and Slovenia, with beer cups even aimed at the manager after the latter stalemate in Cologne.
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/EUqJJwCT2z
— England (@England) July 10, 2024
Southgate admitted in recent days that he has been hurt by the personal criticism, making moments like Wednesday’s semi-final all the sweeter.
“We all want to be loved, right? When you are doing something for your country and you are a proud Englishman, when you don’t feel that back and all you read is criticism, it is hard,” the England boss said.
“To be able to celebrate a second final is very, very special. Especially the fans that travel.
“Our travelling support is amazing, the money they spend, the commitment to do that, to be able to give them a night like this – and we have given them a few over the last six years from Russia onwards – it means a lot.
“If I hadn’t been on the grass, I’d have been watching, celebrating like they were. We’re kindred spirits in many ways. Of course, I’m the one that has to pick a team.
“To be able to give them a night like tonight is very, very special.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
