TONI KROOS has lifted the lid on the crushing defeat to England that saw Germany tumble out of Euro 2020.
Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scored in the second half as Gareth Southgate’s squad booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
The visitors did have chances with Jordan Pickford saving well from Chelsea pair Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
But the most gilt-edged opportunity fell to Thomas Muller – who shockingly put the ball wide when he was through on goal and could have made it 1-1.
And Real Madrid midfielder Kroos claimed England’s clinical nature in front of goal was the difference-maker between the two sides.
He told ARD: “You can imagine how bitter this tastes. It was a balanced match until they scored the first goal.
“Both teams cancelled each other out. The efficiency made the difference today.
“England had almost no chances until they made it 1-0. Our performance was solid until then, but the goal changed everything.”
Yet Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann – who was working as a pundit for the BBC – had a different assessment speaking at full-time.
The 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996 winner admitted the Three Lions were fully deserving of the win after controlling the second 45.
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England had almost no chances until they made it 1-0. Our performance was solid until then, but the goal changed everything
Toni Kroos
He said: “Well deserved from England, they believed and they dominated the second half.
“Germany had two or three big chances but they didn’t use them – England used theirs so well deserved, a fantastic night for England.”
He added: “This is England’s moment.
“You’ve got to realise, you go through to the quarter-finals, and they can play in a semi-final here. There may be a sell-out crowd in the final…
“It’s not going to be an easy road to the final, but it’s doable and now they’ve shown the belief.
“Harry Kane broke through and scored his first goal, the energy is high, so you’ve got to take advantage of that and win this.”
England will now face Ukraine on Saturday in Rome for a spot in the last four following their 2-1 win over ten-man Sweden.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
