England’s Gareth Southgate is gearing up to lead his team in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain, saying he believes in dreams, but not fairytales. England’s men’s team has not won a trophy since the World Cup in 1966. Southgate, who played in Euro 1996, said the team’s string of late goals and penalties does not necessarily mean this is their moment to win. They must perform to make it happen, he added.
Spain is a strong team, but Southgate and his players are hoping their past experiences, including losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and exiting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the quarter-final stage after losing to France, will give them the edge in the final.
Southgate had missed the decisive penalty in the semi-final against Germany in Euro 1996. But he believes that his previous experiences will give the current England team the fearlessness they need to be the best version of themselves. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, Southgate believes his team is strong, having reached back-to-back European Championship finals and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
England’s captain, Harry Kane, said the defeat to Italy at Wembley during Euro 2020 gave him and his teammates the extra motivation to win. Kane added that winning this year’s Euro would mean everything to him and the fans, saying that they have the extra hunger and fire in their belly to make sure this one goes their way. Southgate now hopes to take that next step with his team by winning the Euro 2024, despite the high expectations.
England’s consistent performances over the last four tournaments give them the mentality of being a team that reaches the latter stages of major tournaments, Southgate said. Nevertheless, they know they have to win the trophy to gain the respect of the football world. Southgate urged his team to be the best version of themselves on the day, reminding them that the victory is in their hands; they just need to perform
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