The strangeness of England’s Euro 2024 campaign was summed up by two qualities, as they progressed almost without a trace to the semi-finals of a major tournament once again.
Gareth Southgate and his players have rightly heard a lot about what they can’t do, as a rather indifferent set of performances saw them through to the group stage and stumbles in the knockout stages.
Now is the time to give England credit for what it can do. The quarter-final victory over Switzerland on penalties in Dusseldorf was another vivid example of a team making life difficult but still winning.
Despite all the misfires so far, Southgate’s team has the capacity for individual brilliance combined with inherent resilience. In a campaign of contrasts, there is still the possibility of a glorious conclusion.
England may not have left it until the last 86 seconds to pull themselves back from the brink this time, as they did against Slovakia in the last 16 thanks to Jude Bellingham’s moment of genius, but sweat may well have formed on England’s brow. Southgate before Bukayo Saka’s strike equaled Breel Embolo’s Swiss opener with just 10 minutes remaining.
There was an irony in the fact that England’s Euro 2024 squad appeared more composed and controlled during the penalty shootout – the cause of so much heartache for previous generations.
Five perfect penalties from Cole Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold, combined with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s save against Manuel Akanji, did the job. Next up is the semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.
England existed in moments of brilliance in Germany. This allowed strength of character to help them.
It happened when Bellingham impressively headed the winner against Serbia in their opening Group C game against Serbia, and most notably with the stunning header against Slovakia just as England’s bags were being packed. prepared for departure.
Against Switzerland it was Saka, England’s best player that day, who did the best by cutting in from the right and shooting low past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. It was a well-deserved reward for an excellent performance.
England’s victory was decided on penalties, giving Southgate a record of three semi-finals and quarter-finals in four major tournaments. They still need to get over the last hurdle and win a trophy, but they are in a position to do so, almost in spite of themselves.
This is an England team that fought back to beat Denmark and Slovenia in two draws in Group C. They only got past Slovakia and Switzerland, the latter on penalties, after extra time in the qualifiers. They haven’t quickened their pulse and yet they’re in the bottom four.
Southgate switched to a three-man defensive system after a series of poor choices in midfield, but it was a setup equally lacking in threat until Saka dug them out of a hole.
England looked more comfortable in the system. And the drama and euphoria of the penalty shootout victory created the temptation to wear rose-colored glasses when much of the fare in Dusseldorf was average.
Saka’s goal, like Bellingham’s against Slovakia, was England’s first shot on goal, proof of the lack of creation, even with a more solid structure.
England deserve their due for refusing to fold in the face of adversity, which has come to their rescue twice, first against Slovakia and now against Switzerland. The fact that it actually takes adversity to bring them to life is less commendable, a flaw that applies as much to Southgate as it does to his players.
England began to stray before Embolo put Switzerland in front, Southgate immediately sending on Luke Shaw for his first action in five months, plus Palmer and Eberechi Eze, with Kieran Trippier, Ezri Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo the three men replaced. It was a reactive management motivated by the delay.
Southgate could say he was holding his nerve, but it’s hardly a sign of a considered game plan to throw out three players at the moment you need to score.
England has made an art of living dangerously and getting away with it. The talented Dutch may not be as generous as Slovakia and Switzerland. But Southgate’s side are not easily defeated – and their confidence will be fueled by the belief that there is much more to come from them if they can get it right.
Southgate will be assured by the composed performance of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as a replacement for the suspended Marc Guehi, while 19-year-old Mainoo was nervous, making another excellent contribution before being substituted.
Harry Kane is a concern, however, nursing his feet for much of the game and barely able to gallop or jump when he was substituted. He will be vital against the Netherlands, so Southgate will hope the captain can regain his momentum and energy.
As for Southgate himself, he is now preparing for another semi-final as England – despite everything – are one game away from the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on July 14.
