GARETH Southgate took charge of 102 games for England before quitting following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
But what were the best – and worst games – of the popular gaffer’s eight-year reign before that devastating Sunday night in Berlin? Here we take a look.
THE HIGHS:
Colombia 1 x 1 England (3 x 4 on penalties) 2018 World Cup
This was the night long-suffering supporters finally began to believe the country was coming home.
Despite conceding a late equalizer, England held their nerve to advance to the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals on penalties.
It was our first penalty shootout victory in 22 years.
Spain 2-3 England, Nations League 2018
After the World Cup, England won in Spain for the first time in 31 years with a brilliant victory in the UEFA Nations League.
Southgate’s boys left the Seville fans silent with a thrilling performance that saw them lead 3-0 at half-time thanks to two goals from Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford.
Although the hosts scored two goals after the break, the way the Three Lions destroyed La Roja excited all the fans.
England 2-1 Denmark, Euro 2020 semi-final
Southgate led England to their first major final in 55 years, defeating Denmark after extra time in the Euro 2020 semi-final.
After falling behind after half an hour, the Three Lions fought back to send it into extra time thanks to an own goal.
Then it was captain Kane who converted a rebound after Kasper Schmeichel originally saved his penalty in extra time to win.
England 3 x 0 Sengal, round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup
England had already defeated Iran and Wales, 6-2 and 3-0 respectively, in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, before overcoming Senegal.
The goalscoring Three Lions recorded another big win and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final against France – what could go wrong?
Italy 1-2 England, Euro qualifiers, 2023
On a night when Harry Kane became England’s all-time top scorer, the Three Lions recorded their first away victory over Italy since 1961.
It was their first game since their 2022 World Cup exit and ensured a perfect start to their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign.
England 2-1 Netherlands, Euro 2024 semi-final
The nation doubted Southgate’s men in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, but they responded with an impressive display.
Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Dutch, but Harry Kane’s penalty equalized.
And Ollie Watkins scored a brilliant injury-time winner to take the Three Lions to their second successive Euro final.
AND THE DOWNS….
Croatia 2-1 England, World Cup semi-finals, 2018
Having guided England to their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, Southgate’s men got off to a dream start, with Kieran Trippier putting them ahead in the opening minutes.
But Ivan Perisic equalized as the Croatians began to take control.
Some of Southgate’s substitutions were questioned after his team were beaten in extra time, although many gave him the benefit of the doubt as he returned a hero.
Italy 1-1 England (3-2 penalties) Euro 2020 final
There will probably never be a better chance of securing a trophy for the Three Lions than this final of the last European Championship.
Luke Shaw gave us the lead after just a few seconds, but just like against Croatia three years earlier, we sat back and let our rivals come back.
Leonardo Bonucci equalized in the second half and the game ended up going to penalties.
The unfortunate Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were called upon to take the penalty, but the brave trio missed and the Azzurri broke our hearts to take the prize.
England 0-4 Hungary, Nations League 2023
A year after the Euros, it was a complete embarrassment for Southgate in this Nations League game at Molineux.
It was our biggest home defeat since 1928 and the result saw England relegated from the first group of the Nations League and back into the group containing the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece.
England 1-2 France, 2022 World Cup quarter-finals
Another case of what could have been.
Having scored goals throughout Qatar 2022, many assumed we would go all the way in the World Cup, despite facing the champions in the quarter-finals.
We fought back from behind and equalized through Kane and many believe France would have been there for the taking if Southgate had implemented a more attacking approach.
Instead, they looked content with what they had until Olivier Giroud grabbed the winner 12 minutes from time.
But there was yet another twist of the knife for England when the usually reliable Kane skied a late penalty uncharacteristically over the bar as we went down.
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