5 memorable matches of Southgate’s 100-game England reign
From semi-final and final heartache, to Spanish delight and Molineux misery against the Hungarians
England boss Gareth Southgate is set to manage his 100th game in charge of the national team tonight, against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Dusseldorf. Here are five of his most memorable matches.
England 1 Croatia 2 (AET), World Cup 2018 semi-finals – July 11, 2018: Southgate’s pride was as clear as his heartache after England fell agonisingly short of the World Cup final. Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick put England on course for their first final since 1966, but Ivan Perisic levelled and Mario Mandzukic secured a 2-1 win in extra-time.
Spain 2 England 3, Nations League group stage – October 15, 2018: England won bronze in the inaugural Nations League finals in Portugal in 2019, but it was the result in the group stage that captured the imagination. Raheem Sterling ended his 1,102-day wait for an international goal in style in Seville, where he opened the scoring before netting again once Marcus Rashford had fired home. Paco Alcacer and Sergio Ramos replied.
England 2 Germany 0, Euro 2020 last
16 – June 29, 2021: From the 1970 World Cup and ghost goal in 2010 to the Italia 90 and Euro 96 semi-final heartbreaks, matches against Germany bring up painful memories. But England’s players showed few signs of anxiety, nerves or baggage at Wembley with Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane scoring in a famous Euro 2020 last-16 win.
England 1 Italy 1 (Italy win 3-2 on penalties), Euro 2020 final – July 11, 2021: England reached just their second major tournament final, going on to beat Ukraine and Denmark after putting the Germans out. But despite taking an early lead through Luke Shaw, the long wait for a major trophy went on after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat .
England 0 Hungary 4, Nations League group stage – June 14, 2022: The first time Southgate faced mass criticism inside a stadium came at Molineux as Hungary doled out a shock thrashing, capped by
John Stones’ second half dismissal. It was England’s worst home defeat since 1928.
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