England have trained ahead of the Euro 2024 semi final
England fans are predicting Euro 2024 glory after watching Gareth Southgate’s men in training ahead of their huge semi-final clash.
The Three Lions will face the Netherlands for a place in the final against either France or Spain after dumping Switzerland out on penalties.
It’s the first time England have reached the semi-final stage of a European Championship in consecutive tournaments since the group stage was introduced in 1980.
However, they have won just one of their last nine fixtures against the Dutch meaning Southgate needs to buck a trend to reach consecutive Euro finals.
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Despite their poor record against the semi-final opposition, England fans have been left seriously impressed after watching footage of Tuesday’s training session.
In a small-pitch game between the squad, Jordan Pickford was captured off his line picking up a loose ball before delivering an inch-perfect lofted pass to striker Ivan Toney who fired into the top corner of the net first time on the volley.
Unsurprisingly, England fans were loving footage of the strike and have confidently declared that football is indeed coming home.
Here is how they reacted to the wonder goal:
One fan said: “Yeah f*** it we’re actually winning it all.”
Another said: “I’ve seen all I need to see… IT’S COMING HOME!”
A third said: “We need to find a way to get Toney in the starting eleven. Things happen when he is on the pitch.”
A fourth said: “He’s brimming with confidence right now, play him from the start!”
Finally, a fifth fan wrote: “Thing of beauty that . Get in there. Come on lads.”
Ivan Toney converted his penalty against Switzerland (Getty)
Toney made headlines for his penalty method against Switzerland, starting the goalkeeper directly in the eye and not looking at the ball once when taking his strike.
If he needs to step up again, the Brentford forward admitted he won’t be changing his strategy.
He said: “I wouldn’t say [I felt] pressure. I always have my own routine, I’m just focussed and do what I always do: just take my time and roll it into the back of the net.
“I never look at the ball. It’s just my routine. Some people may see it as crazy but that’s my routine and I’m going to stick to it. It’s been working and it can work whenever it’s needed.
“I’m happy to play my part and patience is key. I’m very impatient but I’ve had to be patient during this tournament. I know my time will come, whether it’s coming off the bench, starting or taking a penalty.
“The belief’s always been there. After the last game, it would have been pretty pointless to go out in this game given how hard we’ve worked and the character we’ve showed. We’ve just got to use the momentum kicking forward. Hopefully it’ll take us to the end.”
Anthony Gordon’s reaction to Gareth Southgate’s team talk during extra-time of England win vs Switzerland spotted (an)
Anthony Gordon couldn’t hide his emotions
England have booked their place in the semi-final of Euro 2024 but Anthony Gordon has gone viral on social media.
The Three Lions will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-final after beating Switzerland on penalties.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring for the Swiss after 75 minutes but Bukayo Saka hit back five minutes later with a stunning long-range effort to keep England in it.
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Gareth Southgate’s men needed penalties to progress with all five players stepping up to find the back of the net to go through after Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s winning penalty sparked mass celebration from the England camp but the reaction of Gordon during extra-time caught the eye of England supporters.
The Newcastle winger has played just one minute of football plus stoppage time at Euro 2024 despite a stellar club campaign with the Magpies.
Roy Keane’s reaction to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick vs Slovakia has gone viral (an)
With England needing a goal, Gordon was overlooked from the bench yet again against Switzerland and his reaction during Southgate’s team-talk in extra-time was a cause for concern.
The 23-year-old was pictured looking glum as the England manager dissed out instructions and was later seen stood far away from the main group.
Anthony Gordon
Alan Shearer has led calls for Gordon to be given the chance to impress for his country and the ex-Everton man is confident he still has a role to play in the tournament.
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“My main strengths are I am very direct, I’m obviously quick,” he said earlier in the tournament. “I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against.
“I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always try to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it. I am always trying to put people on the back foot.
“With players we have got – the likes of H [Harry Kane], who likes to drop deep – I think I add a different element to the team.”
One England player ‘refused to celebrate’ penalty shootout win as telling reaction spotted (an)
An England player did not immediately celebrate the penalty shoot-out triumph against Switzerland.
One England player appeared to initially refuse to celebrate the penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland.
Following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of action, the Three Lions emerged victorious via spot-kicks in Dusseldorf.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all kept their cool to convert past Yann Sommer.
Helped by a water bottle containing key information on takers, Jordan Pickford made a superb save to deny Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and ultimately set up a semi final showdown with the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Alexander-Arnold scored the winning spot-kick and sparked incredible scenes behind the goal.
Players quickly rushed over to the Liverpool star but one player refrained from doing so.
Images shared online showed Luke Shaw showing his class after Alexander-Arnold made no mistake from the spot.
Image: Getty
Instead of sprinting over along with his teammates, the Manchester United defender’s first thought was to go over to the Swiss players and console the likes of Granit Xhaka and Akanji.
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According to the Daily Express, Shaw attempted to shake hands with as many opposition players as possible.
Image: X/@Jonny_Singer
He did then join the rest of the players and was seen embracing Pickford.
Having been out of action since February due to a hamstring injury, the Southampton youth product made his first appearance of Euro 2024 after entering the fray in the 78th minute.
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His selection for the tournament was seen as a major gamble by fans and many viewed it as a pointless call after he missed a number of training sessions and matches.
Image: Getty
But Shaw managed more than half an hour on Saturday and gave the team a new type of balance on the left side of the backline.
And Frank Lampard believes Shaw, scorer in the Euro 2020 final, will get the nod for the semi final.
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Speaking on BBC One, Lampard said: “If Luke Shaw is fit, he starts. He’s Gareth’s man. If he’s fit, I would play him for the balance of the team.”
