Graham Ruthven: ‘England will never have a better chance than this to win a major tournament’

NOT for 21 years had England beaten Germany in an international tournament. In fact, England had never won a European Championships knockout match in 90 minutes before Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash at Wembley. This England team isn’t too concerned by the past, though. They’re all about the future.

Much of the build-up to England’s meeting with Germany had focused on the pain and despair of yesteryear, on the ghosts that have haunted English football for a generation. Defeats at the 2010 World Cup, Euro 96 and the 1990 World Cup were referenced as a nation braced itself for more disappointment, because that’s how this rivalry has been for decades. This is how the story historically ends.

Gareth Southgate knows that more than most, but his players don’t. Of England’s 26-man squad for this tournament, only Jordan Henderson, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker are over the age of 30. The exuberance of youth meant England, this time, lined up against Germany without fear of the past repeating itself.

This was evident in the performance they produced. While England once again kept their attacking verve in check, they were always in control of the situation. Faced with a German midfield that included players from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid, the pair of Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United) and Declan Rice (West Ham) more than held their own.

The switch to a back three prompted much discussion before kick off, but Southgate almost certainly analysed how Germany overloaded Portugal in their sole win at Euro 2020 before making this decision. Adding another body to the backline prevented Robin Gosens and Joshua Kimmich from finding any sort of space.

A remarkable night.

Ukraine in the quarter-finals.

That 'Wembley Roar' – Is it really England's year?#EURO2020 | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/Ia0YT3sXYu

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It was a switch that finally proved Southgate’s credentials as a tactician. Until now, the 50-year-old’s on-the-pitch approach has been questioned, with many of the belief England have the attacking talent to impose their own game more forcefully on opponents. Southgate, however, has been vindicated in the tactical choices he has made so far.

“It’s a dangerous moment for us. The warmth of success, the feeling we only have to turn up to win the thing, we know it’s going to be an immense challenge,” Southgate said after Tuesday’s match, reflecting on a victory that has an entire country believing England can go all the way at Euro 2020.

“The players know that. They should feel confident from the way they’ve played. We came here with an intention and we’ve not achieved that yet. I’m just thinking about Saturday. We’ve not achieved what we want to achieve yet. We can look back on today in the future. I want to get Saturday right.”

Southgate is right to be wary of complacency, but it cannot be denied – England will never get a better chance than this to win a major tournament. Having progressed past a Germany team in decline, the Three Lions now have a quarter final tie against an Ukraine outfit that only just squeezed out of the group stage on three points.

Beyond that, a potential semi final against Czech Republic, who England have already beaten at Euro 2020, or Denmark. The bracket has well and truly opened up for Southgate’s side, who will also play six of their seven matches, if they make the final, in front of a home crowd at the national stadium, Wembley.

While Belgium and Italy have both had to contend with injuries to key players, Southgate’s only major loss for this tournament was Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose place in the squad had been in doubt in the first place. In more than one way, things have fallen into place for England at Euro 2020.