Euro 2024: Think you know all about England? Think again

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The ultimate conflict of philosophy begins hereSpain vs England final seemed like two teams testing theories On the way to Berlin: Spain can’t win Euro 2024 Despite not playing well in every match, England still had the potential to win the tournament.

Until, as if Their soul mates were wiped out of FranceEngland played a style of football that was out of character: thrilling, attacking football. Slowness was replaced by speed, chaos was replaced by moments of devastation. Five unremarkable games, punctuated by moments of excellence, culminated in a semi-final of extraordinary proportions. England had trudged along in Germany, shutting themselves up in Blankenhain while most exciting teams were eliminated, and then England belatedly rose to the occasion. They travelled to Berlin and, with a thrilling first half and a brilliant late winner, showed the side many had hoped they would be.

There is an argument that if England stay at Euro 2024 long enough, perhaps they will finally excel: either through the law of averages, through form and fitness from key players, or through improved understanding. The alternative is that they will continue to survive without excelling, and they will trudge along their way to glory.

There will never be another like this. They will always own Dortmund, that moment Ollie Watkins Silences the Orange Wall In front of Germany’s most iconic stands; Phil Foden’s brilliance; Harry Kane’s precise finish; England’s most exciting performance of the 2024 European Championship when it mattered the most.

At times, it seemed as if England and France were playing out one of Europe’s most boring games, with both sides convinced that this was the way to win trophies. Gareth Southgate’s side were full of talent but had found a way to make everyone perform mediocrely. They seemed to be trying to recreate the one-man show of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, only with four men.

Suddenly, England had regained their fearlessness; perhaps it was the pre-match Ben Stokes’ team talk It had a belated effect, because Gazball started to look like Bazball. And Foden started to look like Foden: City’s version of Foden, Footballer of the Year, a mesmerizing dribbler with a magical long-range shot. He came within inches of two goals: after Foden broke through the Dutch defence, Denzel Dumfries made a brilliant clearance on the goal line, and he fired in from outside the far post, hitting the upright.

Southgate has been short on accolades in this tournament but he deserves some; the change in formation freed up Foden. Some argue that Foden’s best position is as a No.10. But perhaps he is best suited inside right, able to cut inside. The 3-4-2-1 suits him. Jude Bellingham has been deeper at times. However, he was used to the centre of the Westfalenstadion during his time at Dortmund and later in the final third when he played for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, in the 20 minutes of play, Kane was no longer an old Labrador who faithfully completed the action despite his immobile legs, but a sharp center forward. With mobility, Kane could show what he is capable of. He has become an excellent technician. In a few minutes, he shot three times and finally scored a penalty, fully demonstrating his strength. However, in the second half, he once again showed the (lack of) mobility of the 39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo; Southgate finally replaced him with a striker whose greatest advantage is mobility.

Southgate’s trust in big names is somewhat passive, but there is logic to it. Bellingham saved the game against Slovakia and Bukayo Saka saved the game against Switzerland. Kane scored in both knockout games. Today is not the day to blame Southgate for not sending Cole Palmer and Watkins; if someone wants to accuse Southgate of being too passive by delaying to send them, it turns out that he came at the right time. Their combination made England reach the final abroad for the first time, with Palmer passing the ball and Watkins shooting and scoring. Southgate has recently preferred to use Ivan Toney as his striker substitute. It turns out that Watkins’ decision was very wise.

Perhaps that stunning performance blinded us to much of the second half, when England retreated and regained their momentum as if the first 45 minutes had been a fever dream. Sometimes England’s fault is sitting back when they’re ahead. This time, they weren’t ahead. They released the handbrake and then put it back on.

But then they opened up their attack again, with Southgate bringing on Watkins and Palmer. Because England have more than just four main attacking players. They have talent, which means the substitutes can attack, too. And this England team, the one we saw in Dortmund, might yet find their way to victory.