THEO WALCOTT joked that he channelled his inner Gareth Southgate with his outfit for his punditry duties.
The former Arsenal hitman was part of BBC’s broadcast team for the Three Lions’ quarter-final clash with Switzerland.
Ex-England star Walcott appeared on our screens at half-time to give his thoughts on a drab first 45 minutes.
And he joked that he’d deliberately dressed like Southgate as a show of support for the under-pressure manager.
After giving some insightful analysis of the match, he said: “Look, for me, I’m very positive for today.
“Look, I’ve got Gareth Southgate’s top on, I think as well.
READ MORE ON ENGLAND
“So I’m very into it.”
England fans were quick to comment on Walcott’s punditry and his Southgate-esque outfit.
One wrote on X: “Loved this guy so much; wish he did more with his career.”
Another said: “Long time no see, big 14.”
Most read in Euro 2024
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
And another said: “Has Theowalcott copied Gareth Southgate’s outfit.”
One remarked: “Absolutely furious at Theo Walcott wearing the same top as Southgate.”
Another chimed in: “Good to hear ex-footballers like @theowalcott not speaking in clichés but tactics and how the team will function.
“He just needs to sort out his wardrobe and the man bun.”
England looked to be heading out of the tournament when Breel Embolo struck in the 75th minute.
Southgate changed his system… now he has to change the players if England are going to win Euros, writes Charlie Wyett
GARETH SOUTHGATE changed the system… but he now needs to start switching his players, writes Charlie Wyett.
And that not only means for his starting XI for the semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday, but also during the match itself.
Not for the first time, Southgate nearly paid the price for his bloody-minded refusal to react with substitutions and you have to wonder if he is ever going to learn.
Probably not.
At least the England manager reverted to a three-man defence which served him well at the World Cup in 2018 and, on occasions, during Euro 2020.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ezri Konsa generally did well at the back with Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka the wing-backs.
But England still had a complete lack of balance as they had Trippier, a right-footer on the left, and Saka, a left-footer on the right.
It really made no sense whatsoever. Southgate will have his reasons but it was still a case of putting a square peg into a round hole.
Although Saka was England’s most dangerous player for long periods, not for the first time, playing Trippier on the left simply did not work.
And this is why Luke Shaw, if fit, simply HAS to start the next game.
England are through by the skin of their teeth and maybe their name is written on the trophy.
Southgate is actually England’s second most successful manager behind Alf Ramsey although today, it still does not feel like it.
In his eight years as manager his England team have won eight tournament knockout games, compared to six in half a century before him.
This is the most sustained period of success in the history of the men’s England football team.
Ultimately, though, Southgate will only be celebrated as a true success if England – despite being rubbish for most of this tournament – come home with the trophy.
Read all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 articles.
But just when it seemed that all hope was fading, Bukayo Saka produced a piece of magic in the form of a stunning finish from outside the box to take the match to extra time.
They failed to find a way past Jan Sommer and ended up being taken to yet another dreaded penalty shootout.
And Everton stopper Jordan Pickford proved to be the hero, saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty after Cole Palmer’s opener.
And substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold fired the Three Lions into the semis with a thunderous final spot kick.
I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack Wilshere
IT TOOK penalties to put us through but, before the drama, England showed us why they have the ingredients to do something special, writes Jack Wilshere.
It was a win by the narrowest of margins but this was overall our best performance of Euro 2024.
If we can build on the progress we made, especially in the first half, we could WIN the tournament.
It was not a complete display. There were nervy moments and waiting so long to make changes could have cost us.
But we saw what a good team England can be if they do the right things and put players in the right positions.
The first half was England’s best since the first 45 against Serbia. Maybe even better.
One of the keys to that was our press and the effect it had on Granit Xhaka.
For the first time in four games we were pressing high, winning the ball back in better areas and putting Switzerland on the back foot.
In previous matches, our forwards were pressing but the gaps between our lines were too big.
That was leaving huge gaps for Declan Rice and whoever was partnering him to cover.
This time there was better structure and organisation.
There seemed to be more of a plan for when to drop into a block and when to jump out to press.
Now England have the opportunity to build momentum and show why they can win this tournament.
Read all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euro 2024 articles.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
