FEATURE: WHY SOUTHGATE IS STILL THE ONE

Photo credit: Jonathan Brady (PA)

As Bukayo Saka stepped up to take the decisive penalty in the Euro final versus Italy, his manager on the touchline Gareth Southgate would have known precisely how the 19-year-old was feeling.

After his infamous saved shot 25 years ago in the semi-finals of the same competition, the former Middlesbrough boss had been seeking redemption ever since, after taking the England reins in 2016.

The shoot-out triumph over Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16 three years previously would have gone some way to achieving this but this was different.

To win the very competition Southgate’s miss had cost the Three Lions in 1996 through a penalty shoot-out would be the perfect ending to the perfect fairy tale.

And for a while it was looking good.

Harry Kane and Harry Maguire’s clinical spot kicks had put England 2-1 ahead after two shots each, with Jordan Pickford pulling off a heroic save to deny Andrea Belotti.

But that was as good as it got for Southgate’s men.

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho both failed to convert from 12 yards, despite being brought in the final stages of extra time solely for their penalty expertise, and it was only another miracle from Pickford, denying Jorginho from twelve yards for the very first time, that meant England were still in it by the time Saka made the dreaded walk.

And in the end, it just wasn’t to be as Player of the Tournament Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the Arsenal winger’s shot and crowned Italy European Champions.

It was a cruel end to a magical tournament for England and the anger and disappointment may remain with many supporters for a few days yet.

But when it finally subsides, and it will, it will have to be acknowledged just how good a job Southgate and the players have done.

They remain a side brimming with talent, but perhaps more importantly also brimming with camaraderie.

The sense of unity around the squad is palpable and having a personable man like Southgate in charge can only have helped that.

Questions have been asked of the 50-year-old’s tactical nous, especially his game management.

But the fact remains, Southgate was 23 minutes from leading England to their first major trophy in 55 years.

Luke Shaw’s 2^nd minute conversion of Kieran Trippier’s cross had fired the Three Lions ahead and sent Wembley into delirium.

The early lead surprised Roberto Mancini’s side and they were unable to find a rhythm during the first half with England on the front foot.

After the break, the leaders sat back more and it was only a matter of time before the Italians pounced, which they did on 67 minutes when Leonardo Bonucci poked home an equaliser from a poorly defended corner.

Italy thereafter had control for the rest of the 90 minutes but England were able to withstand the pressure, despite reverting from a five at the back to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 system.

And during extra time, one could argue England were the better side who looked more likely to snatch a potentially historic goal.

Sadly for them, it wasn’t to be and penalty shoot-out heartbreak was to follow once again meaning England’s 55-year wait for glory continues.

In a typical display of class, Southgate came out after the game to take full blame for the penalty failure.

However, to place the weight of failure on Southgate’s shoulders would be very harsh indeed, as would suggesting he lacks game management or tactical ability.

Let it not be forgotten that he successfully nullified the same Croatia side that knocked England out the 2018 World Cup, in the first Euros group game.

Or that he made the substitutions necessary to see out a 1-0 win against Czech Republic and to make the breakthrough in a famous knockout victory over Germany.

Or that he wasn’t afraid to take off Jack Grealish against Denmark, despite the 25-year-old having only come on 35 minutes before, in order to secure the win that got the Three Lions to their first ever European Championship final.

It wasn’t the monumental triumph that fans were dreaming of but it is still a remarkable achievement that could not have been attained without the man on the touchline, who wanted to see his side win that shoot-out more than anyone.

Southgate is still the one.