Where it went wrong for Three Lions against France in the World Cup and is manager Southgate the right man to lead England to the Euros 2024

 

England manager Gareth Southgate against France in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final

Southgate has allowed a new generation of England fans to dream. His accomplishments should not be downplayed or ignored. But England can't quite get over the hill when it counts.

As was evident last night, and Italy in the final of the Euros, England struggle to turn that firm grip on the game into chances and goals. Deschamps's men were not better than England's. They just had that vital 1 per cent that carried them through. Winners win football matches.

England had a better xG. England (2.59) 1-2 (1.32) France. Sure 2 of the chance were penalties which boosted the xG for England, but then its the tiny margins that can decide a World Cup knockout game.

Both sides were taking out their opponents strengths, but then their own strength was not coming into play. England were creating chances, but never ones you thought had to be goals. Kyle Walker was stuck blunting Mbappe, and the same was going on with Dembele and Shaw.

So when it comes down to the cautious approach, its the clutch moments that decide a game. The xG and possession stats are of little use as seen throughout this tournament.

Tchouameni scores the first goal for France from outside the box

The first came from Tchouameni’s beautiful 25-yard shot. A standing position shot which no one was ready for. The ball moved at 108 kilometers an hour. Remarkable.

The cross by Griezmann for France’s second was so well hit, it eliminated two very strong centre-backs in the air, Stones and Maguire, and there was a perfect pace behind the ball. Only a seasoned striker like Giroud would know how to perfect that timing of the run.

Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring the match winning goal

It will be debated for a long time whether Kane should have taken the second penalty against his Tottenham teammate Lloris(yes Lloris did jump to the correct side).

The first person to console Harry Kane after his penalty miss? 19-year-old Jude Bellingham.

This is the same squad that is likely to go to the Euro 2024, so questions will be asked whether Southgate is the right guy to take them to the tournament considering the number of unutilized players.

The talent on the bench always spoils the coach for choice and that sometimes leads to overthinking. But then those players could be match winners for another manager. But at the end of the day Southgate did redefine England and got them a final, semi final and quarter final.

England won 6 knockout games between 1968 and 2016. Under Southgate they won 6 knockout games between 2018 and 2022.