Euro 2024

AFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way.We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.England booked a spot in the Euro 2024 final thanks to a late goal from Ollie WatkinsCredit: GettyIt is England’s second successive European Championship finalCredit: GettyEngland will face Spain on SundayCredit: GettyGermany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.Read More on EnglandAnd if we can reproduce the first-half performance over a whole game, we could even win it.England showed their usual character by coming back from a goal down for the third game in a row.But the quality and intent after the shaky start was so much better.We were on the front foot, playing through the lines, taking risks. We had longer spells than the Dutch.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWe needed to keep up the energy, the pressing and the counter-pressing.Again, I thought Gareth waited too long to make more changes after bringing on Luke Shaw at half-time. England lost momentum and Holland had their chances.England vs Netherlands Player RatingsBut it was two subs, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins, who combined for the winner, so it worked out brilliantly.We have relied a lot on big moments from individuals, rather than complete performances, and there was another one. Of course, it will be a disappointment if we don’t go on to win it now.But whatever happens, Gareth has done a fantastic job.He’s already the second most successful England manager.We have had some top coaches, so that is huge credit to him.His record speaks for itself. We’ve got to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final.We’ve won loads of knockout games, which we struggled to do for a while.He’s changed the whole way the country looks at penalties.We used to dread it. Now I look at it before the game and think, ‘If it goes to penalties, we’re going to win’.It’s not just Gareth, either, it’s the work of lots of coaches and staff, and the FA, who have changed things around.We’re producing players who can look after the ball now, helped by their club managers.In the past, there was expectation on an England team but it wasn’t really backed up.England clinched a 2-1 winEngland ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke. Don’t get me wrong, we had good players and should have done better than we did. But you’re still going to play against top top players.Now the expectation is based on a track record. Four major tournaments, four times quarter-finals or better.When I was growing up, I remember thinking: ‘If we get to the semis, it’s OK.’ Then it maybe became ­quarter-finals.Looking at it from the outside as a fan, you look at it now and think: ‘If we don’t get to the final, is it failure?’I’m not sure about that, but that is a compliment to Gareth. He’s created the feeling that we have to win something.From where we were when we lost to Iceland at Euro 2016 to where we are now is an amazing transformation.2016 felt like the end of an era. The country needed someone like a Gareth Southgate to give young players a chance, to put processes in place, to lead.Just as importantly, he and his staff have changed the culture around England.Culture is so important in football, but especially at international level. You don’t get much time together, so when you do, it’s about creating an environment that everyone wants to be in.In the past there were stories about players not wanting to go, it not being a nice place to be.Gareth Southgate has been criticised throughout the tournamentCredit: GettyIt’s not like that now. Young players are brought in and Gareth beds them in, they feel part of it.There was a disconnect between the players and the fans, and the players and the media.When England play they represent me, and everyone English. We should be together. Gareth has done such a good job on that, starting at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.There is always going to be expectation and high pressure around the ­national team. But we’ve got a group of players who know how to manage it and a culture that understands it.Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.There was no panic coming out of the camp.Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’And on Sunday they will be in ­Berlin to play Spain.They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.READ MORE SUN STORIESYou want to peak in the final.If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

FANS have picked out two crucial decisions which Gareth Southgate made en route to firing England to the Euro 2024 final.Substitute Ollie Watkins won the game for the Three Lions after coming on in the 81st minute.Ollie Watkins scored England’s last minute winner from the benchCredit: APHe was set up by fellow sub Cole PalmerCredit: EPAThe Aston Villa striker took his chance brilliantly, after being set up by fellow substitute Cole Palmer.Watkins took the ball with his back to goal, before turning quickly and firing into the bottom left corner.Southgate has been criticised throughout this tournament for delaying making his subs. But he timed them perfectly tonight.The boss brought Luke Shaw on at half time tonight for Kieran Trippier, before Watkins and Palmer came on for Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka in the 81st minute and made their crucial contributions.READ MORE ON ENGLANDFans have also pointed to the decision to bring on Ivan Toney after 94 minutes in the last 16 win over Slovakia as a crucial moment.The Brentford ace was in the mix as Marc Guehi assisted Jude Bellingham’s iconic bicycle kick, before setting up the winner for Kane in extra time.Fans on X have been eating their words about Southgate’s subs and tactics after England made a consecutive Euros final on Wednesday night in Dortmund.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIvan Toney set up Harry Kane’s winner against Slovakia in the last 16Credit: RexSouthgate was hailed for his subs tonightCredit: GettyOne said: “Whatever people say about Southgate, he brought on Toney who assisted Kane’s winner, tonight he brought on Palmer and Watkins who combined for the winner.”Most read in Euro 2024Another said: “Credit where credit is due, Gareth Southgate got every decision right tonight. The Sun’s Charlie Wyett praises England as Ollie Watkins 90th minute winner puts Three Lions into Euro 2024 final”From the tactical setup, to the timing of the substitutes, he got everything spot on. Takes some serious bottle to take your captain off but it paid dividends for the Three Lions.”While a third wrote: “Na England actually balled today.. fair play to Southgate.”While a fourth wrote: “1st half excellent, 2nd half average, but finally a bit of bravery to take off Kane and Watkins came up trumps with a cracking finish. “I’m as big a Southgate critic as most, but you can’t take it away from him or the team tonight, we’ve made the final, terrific effort.”England will play Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday.England’s five-point penalty shootout planEXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR “It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP”Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”3. DICTATE AS A TEAM”A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES “Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT  “Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.” More

OLLIE WATKINS incredibly predicted his dramatic winner against Netherlands that has sent England marching into the Euro 2024 final.The Aston Villa striker, 28, lashed home a stunning stoppage-time goal to hand Gareth Southgate’s men a 2-1 victory in Dortmund.Cole Palmer set up Ollie Watkins’ dramatic late winner in England’s Euros semi-finalCredit: GettyHAS OLLIE WATKINS WON IT FOR ENGLAND?! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿ASTON VILLA’S OLLIE WATKINS IS A SUPERSTAR SHOOTER! 🤩🎯#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/67Zpbwg6QQ— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024

Watkins’ brilliant finish has sent England to Sunday’s final in Berlin against SpainCredit: AFPBut the crucial moment came as no surprise to Watkins – who claims he told fellow late substitute Cole Palmer they were going to be involved in a goal.Watkins, who lashed home Palmer’s pass, said: “I swear on my life, my kid’s life, I said to Cole Palmer: we’re coming on today and you’re gonna set me up.”The former Exeter and Brentford man had played just 20 minutes at the Euros before he came off the bench against the Dutch.But his 81st-minute cameo proved to be decisive as his surreal winner sent England fans wild.READ MORE ON ENGLANDSpeaking in his post-match press conference, Watkins said: “Lost for words really.”When you score there are emotions that come through your body but this is just a different feeling. It was in slow motion when I ran to celebrate with the boys.”I didn’t want to get off the pitch at the end, I wanted to soak it all in as it doesn’t happen often.”He went on to add: “The ball came into me, hold up is not the strongest side of my game but the goal was my bread and butter.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I said to Cole Palmer we were both going to go on the pitch and he would set me up and it happened.”You don’t get that opportunity very often and I had to be greedy and take the shot. I don’t think I have hit the ball so sweet like that before.”The Sun’s Charlie Wyett praises England as Ollie Watkins 90th minute winner puts Three Lions into Euro 2024 finalIt was Watkins’ fourth goal in 14 England caps and adds to an incredible season.He scored 27 goals and assisted 13 in 53 appearances for Villa, inspiring them to Champions League qualification.England ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.  More

AND we all thought England had just the one generational talent.Kobbie Mainoo was effectively brought to Germany as a work experience kid but has emerged as the key kid behind this country’s attempt to rewrite history.Kobbie Mainoo was a stand out performer as England beat the Netherlands to reach the final of Euro 2024Credit: AFPJude Bellingham may not be the Three Lions’ only generational talentCredit: ReutersAfter just five senior starts, England’s new boy wonder will now have a teenage tear-up against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final.Against the Netherlands, he did not merely become England’s youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, aged 19 years and 82 days.Here, he took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck, delivered a performance which was a joy to watch, particularly in the first half, and now England are in their first final on foreign soil.If Jude Bellingham thought he was certain to be England’s main posterboy over the next decade, he has someone else who has now emerged in his wing mirror within just a few weeks.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTo bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 was impressive. To then win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.As we saw with Manchester United, Mainoo has now fitted seamlessly into the team and provided a perfect mix of both style and substance.Give it a couple of years, and you can only imagine how good this lad is going to be.For much of this tournament, the focus has been on the disappointing form of Harry Kane, Bellingham and Phil Foden.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSSo Mainoo, to a degree, had almost been off the radar. But against the Dutch, In tight, congested spaces, he was a class apart. When he was put under pressure, remained cool, navigated his way out of difficult situations and drove forward.Man Utd fans say ‘the aura is crazy’ after Kobbie Mainoo’s brilliant response about his ‘nickname’Despite what was at stake, Mainoo once again looked extraordinarily composed and was England’s best player in the first half. He won possession, he rode tackles and he drove forward like an old master.He nearly delivered an assist at 1-1 with some brilliant play. He received the ball from Foden, turned and drove forward before returning the ball to his team-mate but the shot was hacked off the line by Denzel DumfriesMainoo delivered a terrific block to snuff out some serious danger in a lightning-quick Dutch counter attack.In the second half, he had less space in midfield but nevertheless still had bags of energy and kept his discipline positionally – and then he let subs Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins deliver the business.It is still mind-boggling that Mainoo is now heading to Berlin on Sunday, when you consider he only made his United debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in January 2023. His first Premier League start was just eight months ago.Yet it was his dazzling midfield form in an otherwise dysfunctional United team which earned him his first cap as a substitute against Brazil in March. He was then man-of-the-match in a ridiculously-good performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.Mainoo made his England debut off the bench against Brazil in MarchCredit: GettyHe was named Player of the Match for his performance against Belgium for his second capCredit: GettyThe teenager scored an FA Cup final goal at Wembley to help Manchester United lift the trophy last seasonCredit: GettyMainoo’s form dipped in the last few weeks of the season. It was probably because he was knackered carrying some of his team-mates.But he then saved them again in the FA Cup final against Manchester City with a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-1 win.A bit like Adam Wharton, he was part of England’s 26-man squad to soak up the experience, to learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament and maybe, if needed, to have a few cameo roles off the bench.And the fact he was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice here in Germany tells you exactly where he stood in a squad of 26.The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield failed in the two opening games against Serbia and Denmark. Conor Gallagher – despite some bright performances as a sub in those games – really struggled in his start against Slovenia.Apart from a strong appearance as a substitute by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was the only bright spot in a dismal and extremely fortunate win over Slovakia in the last 16.There was always a worry about Mainoo’s movement when England do not have possession but that will come with experience, like it would for any other central midfielder.Yet Mainoo has solved the problem for Southgate and now England can continue to dream big. And it is totally unthinkable from where you consider how they played in the group stages when they stunk out Germany.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players will be able to draw on the pain of both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.For Mainoo, this will be a completely new experience but do not expect him to wilt. He’ll absolutely love it.Mainoo did the dirty work to allow Watkins and Palmer to shine when England won the game late onCredit: ReutersMainoo and the rest of the Three Lions will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on SundayCredit: Getty More