Southgate basks in glory of 'streetwise' England

DUSSELDORF, Germany — England manager Gareth Southgate said he had earned the right to celebrate his side's progression to the Euro 2024 semifinals on Saturday after receiving a barrage of criticism throughout the tournament for his perceived negative tactics.

The Three Lions needed penalties to get the better of Switzerland in Dusseldorf after the sides were still level at 1-1 after 120 minutes.

For the second time in two matches, England, which had strolled its way through a pedestrian game, looked bound for a meek Euros exit when it fell behind to Breel Embolo's 75th minute goal.

Bukayo Saka quickly equalized with his side's first shot on target, before England eliminated the Swiss on penalties.

"Every now and then, you think, surely, there has to be some enjoyment in this job. If I can't enjoy that moment, the whole thing is a waste of time," Southgate said of his post-match dance in front of the England fans.

"I took this job to try and improve English football. I wanted us to regain credibility on the world stage, so I can't deny when it (the criticism) is as personal as it has been the last few weeks, on a human level, it's been difficult.

"We are not going to stop fighting, we are in another semifinal and we'll see where we can get to."

England has made the last four, where it will meet the Netherlands, despite a series of subpar performances from a side that had been hyped as one of the pre-tournament favorites.

Southgate's men have won just one of their five matches in 90 minutes, but he said they are showing other attributes of champions in their bid to win the Euros for the first time.

"You have to show other qualities to win tournaments, and these players are showing unbelievable qualities of character and resilience — it is not just about playing well," added Southgate.

"It's not always pure football, there are other attributes. We are showing a bit more of a streetwise nature.

"We've never been to a final outside of England, we've never won a Euros, so that's two bits of history we would like to make."

Of England's six semifinal appearances in its history at major tournaments, half of them have come during Southgate's tenure.

He has also managed to turn around England's tortured history with penalty shootouts.

Although it lost in heartbreaking fashion on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England has won three of the four shootouts he has taken charge of.

Against the Swiss, England scored all five of its penalties, and went through thanks to Jordan Pickford saving Manuel Akanji's shot.

"In the penalty shootout, their composure was impeccable," added Southgate.

"None of this is easy, but we are in a third semifinal in four tournaments. That's a pretty good achievement, but it is not where we want it to end."

AFP