British press: "Fans should stop mocking coach Southgate"

(Dan Tri) - The British media has completely changed its attitude after witnessing the England team under the leadership of coach Gareth Southgate participating in the Euro final for the second consecutive time.

Highlights: England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals

"It's time to stop mocking Gareth Southgate after his superb performance in England's 2-1 win over the Netherlands," the Dailymail headline read after witnessing England come from behind to win 2-1 against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final at Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund, Germany) in the early morning of July 11 (Vietnam time).

Báo giới Anh: — Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute to help England reach the Euro final for the second consecutive time (Photo: Getty).

Despite conceding an early goal after just 7 minutes of play after a stunning long-range shot by Xavi Simons, England soon equalized 1-1 in the 18th minute thanks to Harry Kane's penalty kick. That was the situation where the Three Lions, assisted by VAR technology, determined that the England captain had been fouled by centre-back Denzel Dumfries in the penalty area. The match was tense for the remaining minutes, and it seemed like both teams would have to go into extra time, but substitute Ollie Watkins scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute to help England come from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1, thereby winning a ticket to the final against Spain. This is the second consecutive time that coach Gareth Southgate has helped England reach the Euro final, as the Three Lions previously lost to Italy in a penalty shootout at the Euro 3 years ago at Wembley Stadium (London). "Maybe now, before it's too late, you'll say that maybe you've got Gareth Southgate wrong. Maybe now that he's led England to back-to-back Euro finals, you'll acknowledge what he's done for football in this country. Maybe now it's time to stop throwing beer at him, mocking him and making him a stranger in his own country," Dailymail journalist Oliver Holt commented in the article.

Sharing the same view with the Dailymail , The Sun also published an article by former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere with the title: "The journey may not have been pretty, but England have reached another major final. Gareth Southgate has the perfect opportunity to respond to his critics." In the piece, the former England international commented on his side's victory: "We could have liked a better team. But in the end, the result is what matters. Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would have loved to be where we are. People will say we were lucky to be on this side of the draw. But we finished top of the group and then we played Spain. You could say the journey wasn't great, but we still got there to the final. But whatever happened, Gareth has done a fantastic job. He's now England's second most successful manager. His record speaks for itself. We've reached two major finals, plus a semi-final and a quarter-final at a major tournament."

"Southgate vindicated by making history," Sky Sport headlined Gareth Southgate's victory over the Netherlands. "It's not how teams start a tournament, it's how they finish it. And perhaps for the first time in Germany this summer, England look like a team capable of ending Euro 2024 as champions. Huge for the country, huge for Southgate. The history of English football still talks about the 1966 World Cup and that's it. But the other two finals England have reached, for the most part, have been under the leadership of Southgate, who was heavily criticised before leading the Three Lions to their second successive Euro final," Sky Sport stressed. A British newspaper, The Guardian, also praised the Three Lions' victory, with the headline: "Southgate was questioned and insulted, but England are the finalists." "The victory here is significant in many ways, not least for Southgate, who has avoided the plastic cups and constant swearing at this tournament, to the point where he has been a lightning rod for England's anger and frustration. His team will now play in their second consecutive Euro final, an extraordinary step for a country that reached only one final in their entire history before Southgate took charge," The Guardian emphasized. England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympic Stadium (Berlin, Germany) at 02:00 on July 15, Vietnam time. Spain hopes to set a record 4th European Championship, after they won in 1964, 2008 and 2012. England are on the verge of winning a Euro for the first time in their history.

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