As Gareth Southgate got his England players back into the dressing room, after the boos and the plastic pint cups thrown at him in Cologne, he tried to get his squad to ignore any negativity. The message, despite a dismal 0-0 draw against Slovenia, was England played better. They’re through to the last 16 while topping the group. Southgate stated England’s performance was “an improvement”.
Many will consider that highly open to debate, but the crucial point for Southgate is that it’s clear in the players’ minds. It engenders the belief they can grow into this tournament, that all of this “environment” – as Southgate referred to the oppressive noise around England – can be forgotten.
That’s exactly what happened with one of the most recent champions in the Euros, the Portuguese side of 2016. They didn’t even claim the win that England did in their group stage, only squeaking through in third place with three draws.
Esta historia es de la edición June 27, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 27, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Those Minoans really knew how to keep their cool...
One of Crete's most fascinating museums is also totally chill in terms of crowds and temperature,
We need to talk about rising summer flight cancellations
Travellers are getting a raw deal from airlines' lack of backup
Lauper gives a fun reminder of a career truly well spent
Pop veteran's infectious performance could potentially be her most high-profile goodbye to the UK
Wimbledon ready to serve fresh surprises as women's tournament takes shape
Coco Gauff couldn't help noticing it as she arrived at Wimbledon and walked past the champions' wall. On the grasscourts of SW19, the past seven tournaments have produced seven different winners of the women's title, and not all of them
How England must set up against Slovakia challenge
Southgate will have to compromise for his team to progress
Germany weather storm but fail to lift Euro clouds
On a night of stoppages, Germany almost stumble, but keep going.
China encourages visitors from Taiwan after threat to execute 'diehard separatists'
The Chinese government has insisted that \"most Taiwanese\" can visit the country \"in high spirits\" after Taipei issued a warning to its own citizens about a threat from Beijing to execute \"diehard separatists\".
First lady tells donors: 'Joe's the only person for the job'
Jill Biden was right at her husband’s side yesterday as they exited Air Force One to head for a pair of campaign stops at luxurious vacation homes on Long Island. And she got straight to the point when it was her turn to introduce the president at a fundraiser.
Boeing... we have a problem
After much delay, the firm's 'Starliner' got two astronauts to the International Space Station but now issues with the craft mean it's unclear when they'll return
Mayor calls London Pride parade a 'shining light'
Crowds lined the streets from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to watch the floats pass by, with dancers, martial arts performers and party buses taking part.
