Published 06 July 2024 4 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Gareth Southgate: 'A huge performance and result'
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England manager Gareth Southgate assesses his team's EURO 2024 quarter-final victory over Switzerland
Match report: Switzerland v England
Gareth Southgate paid tribute to the resilience and discipline shown by his England team, as they reached the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final after a penalty shootout win over Switzerland.
The Three Lions drew 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time in Düsseldorf, before the game was decided from the penalty spot.
England held their nerve to clinically despatch all five of their spot-kicks to set up a semi-final spot against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday evening.
And Southgate, taking charge for the 100th time, believes his players deserve all the credit following a tight and tactically fought encounter.
“I thought the players were brilliant, it’s the best we’ve played,” he said.
“I thought we caused them a lot of problems with the ball. They are a really good side, they are hard to press, hard to defend against and their movement is good.
“We played well today and had to be tactically spot on. We’re in a third semi-final so it says a lot about the whole group.
The Three Lions drew 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time in Düsseldorf, before the game was decided from the penalty spot.
England held their nerve to clinically despatch all five of their spot-kicks to set up a semi-final spot against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday evening.
And Southgate, taking charge for the 100th time, believes his players deserve all the credit following a tight and tactically fought encounter.
“I thought the players were brilliant, it’s the best we’ve played,” he said.
“I thought we caused them a lot of problems with the ball. They are a really good side, they are hard to press, hard to defend against and their movement is good.
“We played well today and had to be tactically spot on. We’re in a third semi-final so it says a lot about the whole group.
“We knew we needed to get pressure on their back three and that’s not easy without changing the shape.
“I thought the players were disciplined with it. There were times where you can’t go and press their goalkeeper. They are so good and they want you to come.
“A couple of times we did and they got in behind us. We had to be disciplined.
“We caused them a problem with our shape with the ball. I thought we had good control, probably some of the balls in the box, we needed more men in the box. I thought it’s the best we’ve played.”
England had enjoyed the better of the first half in terms of territory and possession, but the Swiss enjoyed a strong spell midway into the second period before edging ahead.
And it took a fine goal from Bukayo Saka to level things up and take the game into extra time.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, I’ve spoken to the players about that,” revealed Southgate.
“Winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. I thought we did play well but it’s not just about that, you have to show all the other attributes to win, but we showed them tonight.”
“I thought the players were disciplined with it. There were times where you can’t go and press their goalkeeper. They are so good and they want you to come.
“A couple of times we did and they got in behind us. We had to be disciplined.
“We caused them a problem with our shape with the ball. I thought we had good control, probably some of the balls in the box, we needed more men in the box. I thought it’s the best we’ve played.”
England had enjoyed the better of the first half in terms of territory and possession, but the Swiss enjoyed a strong spell midway into the second period before edging ahead.
And it took a fine goal from Bukayo Saka to level things up and take the game into extra time.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, I’ve spoken to the players about that,” revealed Southgate.
“Winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. I thought we did play well but it’s not just about that, you have to show all the other attributes to win, but we showed them tonight.”
Saka was also one of the players to score in the shootout, which Southgate paid tribute too following the memory of the one he missed in the EURO 2020 Final at Wembley.
“He’s so brave,” he said.
“He’s one of our best so we were never in any question that he was going to take one, but we all know what he went through.
“So to take one as he did, but not just him, Trent and Ivan came on, Cole [Palmer], he’s like an old man, fearless.
“It was a huge performance and a huge result for us, we’re still in it.”
“He’s so brave,” he said.
“He’s one of our best so we were never in any question that he was going to take one, but we all know what he went through.
“So to take one as he did, but not just him, Trent and Ivan came on, Cole [Palmer], he’s like an old man, fearless.
“It was a huge performance and a huge result for us, we’re still in it.”