It could well be England’s greatest chance yet to end 55 years of hurt.
England are through to the quarter finals of Euro 2020 and when you look at the way the draw has opened up for them, when you look at the teams standing in their way, you’d have to put Gareth Southgate’s team down as the favourites to make it through to the final of this competition.
That’s because, having defeated their perennial nemesis Germany by 2-0 in the Round of 16 on Tuesday evening, England are now looking at a quarter final against the winners of Ukraine and Sweden which should they win, would put them in a semi-final against Denmark or Czech Republic.
Whatever way you look at it, those are four countries that England will fancy themselves against. Now, the caveat has to be added that this is England we’re talking about, a country more burdened by more international failure than any other.
But at the same time, when you look at the way Raheem Sterling is playing, when you consider that Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford didn’t even make it off the bench in this comprehensive defeat of the Germans, it just goes to show the depth in English ranks.
Damien Duff, who before kick-off tried to jinx England’s chances, admitted afterwards that, given the side’s organisation, given the form they’re showing, football could well be coming home.
Didn't work out for Duffer but you just have to respect the hustlepic.twitter.com/M1gB6EpH0t
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 29, 2021
“Football could well be coming home,” said Duffer.
When you look at the way the draw has opened up for them, they are in with as good a chance as anyone.
“You’d have to say they deserve their victory. I’m really happy for Harry Kane who has gotten a lot of stick. You could argue that Raheem Sterling has won the three games for them too, and you’d have to say fair play to Gareth Southgate for sticking with him.”
“It was a Mourinho type performance,” added the Republic of Ireland international. If you read up on anything he’s done, it’s all about detail, detail, detail. And he’s got his just rewards here.”
Richie Sadlier, meanwhile, was just as complimentary of England’s performance.
“I think they deserved to win. They’re not as flamboyant as some other teams we’ve seen, they’re not as creative, but one thing they are is resolute, they are very hard to break down.”
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