Gareth Southgate’s eight-year England reign, bar some occasional turbulence, has been a remarkable path of persistent progress.
Truly unprecedented on so many levels, Southgate’s Three Lions have constantly re-written the history books by setting so many unwanted records straight.
Now, as his new class of 2024 stand on the brink of becoming the first England side to lift silverware since 1966, we pick Southgate’s fab five career-defining matches from his 101, to date, in the hot-seat.
July 2018, England 1 Colombia 1 (England win 4-3 on pens). World Cup, round of 16
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Eric Dier steps up to convert the penalty that ends 22 years of relentless shoot-out misery for England at major tournaments.
The nation’s wild relief and delight at finally seeing our 12-yard, sudden-death curse broken in Russia is massive – and Southgate’s inspired sizzlers go on to reach a first semi-final anywhere since Italia 90.
What do you think is Gareth Southgate’s most iconic game as England boss? Let us know in the comments section
October 2018, Spain 2 England 3, Nations League, group stage
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Few cared about the competition but this explosive, stylish triumph over Spain in Seville signalled England’s recent World Cup exploits were no flash in the pan.
Spain had, in fact, won the reverse meeting at Wembley a month earlier. Here, however, they were blown away as Raheem Sterling’s double, either side of Marcus Rashford’s strike, made it 3-0 after 38 sensational minutes.
Not even a late Spanish fightback could remove the gloss of England’s potential becoming reality.
June 2021 – England 3 Germany 1, European Championship, round of 16
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Another game, another embarrassing record bites the dust. England had never defeated a renowned superpower in the knockout stages of any tournament.
Okay, so this was not vintage Germany but you can only beat what is in front if you. Again, it was deadly Sterling who put the hosts in front.
Then, after Thomas Muller missed a sitter at the other end, Kane broke to wrap up victory at Wembley.
June 2021, England 2 Denmark 1 (after extra time), European Championships, semi-final
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Expectations were on the rise throughout the land, growing with every victory en route to a last four showdown against Denmark.
A first major final in 55 years awaited the Three Lions. It would be a formality, most assumed, before the Danes grabbed the lead.
England, though, rose to the occasion as Sterling levelled to force extra-time before Kane scored – on the rebound – from his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
July 2024, England 2 Netherlands 1, European Championships, semi-final
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Southgate’s troops go where no Englishman has gone before as they reach their second Euros final in a row – and the country’s first ever showpiece on foreign soil.
Following desperately dull displays, Southgate switched to three at the back to see off the Swiss in the last eight. It worked well against the Dutch, too, but it was the manager’s magical late double change that inspired a glorious triumph.
At 1-1, in the dying seconds, Cole Palmer fed fellow-sub Ollie Watkins, who let rip into the far corner.