Gareth Southgate is determined to restore England's international reputation after guiding the team to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The Three Lions triumphed over Switzerland 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Bukayo Saka equalised Breel Embolo's goal, and Trent Alexander-Arnold secured the winning penalty, with Jordan Pickford saving Manuel Akanji's attempt.
England (@England) July 6, 2024
Marking his 100th match as England's coach, Southgate celebrated with his players on the pitch. This victory was only their fourth shoot-out win under his leadership. Reflecting on the moment, Southgate said, "Every now and then you think, 'surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job?' So if I can't enjoy that moment, then the whole thing is a waste of time."
Despite recent criticism following a goalless draw with Slovenia, Southgate remains focused on his mission since taking over in 2016. He stated, "I love the players, I love being in that moment with them. I took this job to try and improve English football. I wanted us to regain credibility on the world stage." He acknowledged the personal challenges but emphasised their ongoing fight.Jude Bellingham was among those who took crucial penalties to secure England's spot in the semi-finals. Alongside Cole Palmer, Saka, Ivan Toney, and Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham ensured England's perfect record in the shoot-out. Bellingham remarked on the significance of these moments: "These moments are even more special if you go on to win the next game and hopefully win the tournament."The victory propels England into their third semi-final in four tournaments under Southgate’s guidance. They are set to face the Netherlands in Dortmund next Wednesday. Reflecting on their performance, Bellingham added, "It's probably our best performance of the tournament. We are very proud of the boys."Southgate highlighted how character and mentality played crucial roles during the shoot-out. He praised his substitutes for handling pressure well: "The things you can't always measure and see is character and mentality and we showed that again in the shoot-out."As they prepare for their upcoming match against the Netherlands, Southgate remains optimistic about their chances. He concluded by saying they will continue fighting to see how far they can go in this tournament.The journey continues for England as they aim for glory at Euro 2024 while striving to regain their standing on the global stage.
Story first published: Sunday, July 7, 2024, 3:27 [GST]
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