England and Netherlands will do battle on 10th July in the second semi-final match of Euro 2024 at Westfalenstadion, Dortmund.
The Three Lions have reached this stage without actually being so impressive with their performances, coming from a goal down to win qualifications against Slovakia and Switzerland in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively.
Gareth Southgate’s men have scored 5 goals in 5 games at the tournament.
England needed a Jude Bellingham 90+5th minute equalizer to force extra time against Slovakia with Harry Kane scoring the winner early in extra time.
They went down against Switzerland in the 75th minute before Bukayo Saka fired a stunning left-footed shot to level five minutes later.
Quizzed about why England have struggled to score goals at Euro 2024, manager Gareth Southgate said on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“Well, I’m sorry for that, but our intention is always to play well with the ball.
“In football you have an opponent that’s trying to stop you, and these are not normal football matches.
“These are national events with huge pressure, with really young men in the middle of it. Our team has been under enormous pressure from the start and they’re doing so well. So well.
“I thought they showed moments. I think Phil (Foden) had one of his best games for us, looked really free.
“We’re not able to score a load of goals at the moment, but we’ve played three teams that play back five, very well organised defences.
“Pitches are a little bit bobbly, so you sometimes need the extra touch, and as you have the extra touch the space is gone.
“None of it is easy. None of this stuff is easy. But we’re in a third semi-final in four tournaments, and for the staff and players that have been involved in all of that, that’s a pretty good achievement. But it’s not where we want it to end.”
Discussion about this post