England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed confidence that his team is ready to seize a historic opportunity in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund. The Three Lions aim to reach the final of a major tournament on foreign soil for the first time, hoping to end a 58-year drought without a major title. The winner will face Spain in the final in Berlin, following their comeback victory over France.
England previously suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Euro 2020 final, where they were defeated by Italy on penalties at Wembley. Captain Harry Kane remarked that making back-to-back finals would be an “amazing achievement” as he seeks his first major trophy. Kane has faced criticism for his performances, despite scoring two of England’s five goals in the tournament, and has struggled physically after a back injury.
England has had a tumultuous tournament, narrowly avoiding early exits against Slovakia and Switzerland, with key contributions from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. Southgate acknowledged the high expectations placed on his squad and believes they are now focused on achieving historic success rather than fearing failure.
A controversial selection of referee Felix Zwayer, who previously faced a match-fixing ban, has raised concerns. Bellingham was fined for criticizing Zwayer in the past, adding tension to the match.
The Netherlands have also faced challenges, including a group stage defeat to Austria and travel disruptions. However, they have gained momentum with victories over Romania and Turkey. Cody Gakpo has been a standout player, vying for the Golden Boot with three goals.
Despite the Dutch team’s disrupted travel plans due to issues with the German train system, Southgate downplayed its impact, confident that both teams will be well-prepared for the match.
