Gareth Southgate labels late show in Dortmund his 'best' feat as England beat Netherlands to make Euro 2024 final

England have reached a second European Championships final in a row under Gareth Southgate, an achievement which the manager has called "the best" during his tenure. England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final, with goals from Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins sending them into the final against Spain on Sunday. Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville were quick to praise Southgate.

Southgate: Huge task to play best team in Euro 2024 with day less to prepare

Video credit: SNTV

Gareth Southgate has called England's achievement of reaching the final of Euro 2024 "the best" under his tenure as manager.

England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday, thanks to a superb late strike from substitute Ollie Watkins after a Harry Kane penalty.

England are now through to a second successive European Championship final, a feat that was previously unheard before Southgate's reign.

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Speaking after the game, the England manager hailed his side's performance and was asked where he would rank that semi-final win.

"I think it has to be the best," he said. "It's another landmark but the way that we played as well, we played so well throughout the game. It was a complicated game, they kept changing, and we had to keep changing how were defensively, especially.

"But I thought we caused them problems all night, and the end is so special for the squad. It's an example of what the squad are giving to the cause."

Southgate has received criticism for numerous things during the tournament but possibly his use of his subs bench has aggrieved fans the most.

But in Dortmund, the 53-year-old got his changes and tactics spot on as his replacements Cole Palmer and Watkins combined to produce the winner.

"Yeah, sometimes it can work that way," Southgate added. "The most important thing is that all of the squad are ready to come into the game. It's hard picking 26, you disappoint 15 every time, but we spend a lot of time with those guys and their attitudes have been exemplary. And so chuffed for Ollie to get his moment.

"I just felt energy-wise we were starting to lose a bit of pressure. Harry (Kane) had got that knock in the first half as well, and of course Ollie can press well, he can make those little runs in behind that he did. So we thought it was a good moment to try it."

It is easily England's best performance at the tournament and the side now enter the final against Spain with more confidence than ever.

"The opponent gave us a little bit more space - the early games we didn't have any space to play," Southgate added. "We were very fluid in the formations, it wasn't just a back three, Bukayo did a brilliant job of covering inside back to midfield to defend, and we had to adapt all the time and the players made so any good decisions on the pitch."

Southgate has 'done a brilliant job'

Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville were also quick to give Southgate his flowers after the match.

"He's done a brilliant job from day one when you think about it," said Keane. "He's created an environment for the players to go out and express themselves.

"He's had a little bit of luck, but we all need a bit of luck. He's made some big decisions before this tournament, people like [Jack] Grealish and [Marcus] Rashford, it raised an eyebrow when he made those decisions," added Keane.

"He's done a brilliant job. But he's got to try and finish now. If he can get that trophy at the end of it, then it would be amazing for him."

Neville agreed, saying: "It couldn't happen to a better man. Anyone who played with Gareth, worked with Gareth, he's a brilliant person. He deserves it.

"Sometimes you don't get the reward that you deserve for the way in which you carry yourself, but he's always been exemplary.

"England have had some fancy names as managers over the years. If you remember when Gareth came in, he wasn't that fancied. Look at how it's worked out. Go and finish the job off on Sunday, because he deserves it."

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