Southgate: Wembley defeat will focus minds

GARETH Southgate believes that England’s shock loss to Iceland will knock any complacency out of a team he is certain will react strongly in their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.

- SIMON PEACH

Four days after beating Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 at St James’ Park, a sell-out Wembley crowd witnessed an alarming 1-0 defeat by a side who did not qualify for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

Iceland frustrated England and threatened to add to Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s early goal, with the hosts booed at the final whistle having managed just one shot on target in response.

Southgate knows Friday’s sendoff friendly was a “far-from-ideal night” but believes it can benefit a group who are among the favourites to be crowned kings of the continent.

“It does focus the mind, it does focus on how we have to drive the team, the sort of reaction we need,” the England boss said of the shock loss to the side 72nd in FIFA’s world rankings.