Southgate reveals what pleased him most after exorcising Wembley ghosts
England manager Gareth Southgate admitted his delight at England’s 2-0 Euro 2020 last-16 victory over Germany and confessed just what it meant to him personally.
The Three Lions are into the quarter-finals of the European Championship after goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. It was goalless at half-time although England enjoyed the better chances before the break. And they were rewarded when Sterling slotted home from close range on 75 minutes after an excellent cross by Luke Shaw.
And Kane put the icing on the cake with his first goal of the tournament four minutes from time. The Spurs star silenced his critics and vindicated his manager’s decision to keep him on when many pundits were calling for a change.
They will now head to Rome to play either Ukraine or Sweden in the last-eight. Southgate will forever be remembered for his penalty shootout miss against Germany that saw England eliminated from Euro 96.
It has gone full circle, with the 50-year-old now the one with a smile on his face. He was a happy man after the final whistle.
And, while not removing the memories of 25 years ago, he feels the win will lift the nation.
“I am just so pleased. I was looking at the big screen and saw David Seaman up there,” he told BBC Sport. “For my team-mates that played with me [at Euro 96] I can’t change that so it will always hurt, but what is lovely is we have given people another day to remember and now we have to do it in Rome.
“We have talked about bringing enjoyment to the nation and afternoons like this are what it is about.”
Rampant Wembley lifts England stars
The England display was solid but lacked penetration at times. Build-up play was ponderous but they did create chances.
And Sterling was on hand to convert one for his third goal of the tournament. Kane is also off the mark and may yet play a significant role in the event.
Southgate paid tribute to his charges and also the way that the supporters managed to act like a 12th man in north London.
“The players were immense right the way through the team and the fans were as well,” he added. “It was as good an atmosphere I can remember at Wembley.”
England’s quarter-final takes place on Saturday in the Eternal City an they will be back at Wembley for the semi-final if they progress.
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