Southgate: This could be the turning point for Three Lions

GARETH SOUTHGATE believes England’s dramatic win over Colombia could be a watershed moment.

Southgate and his England stars enjoyed their finest hour together with Tuesday’s victory which fired them into a quarter-final on Saturday with Sweden.

It was the Three Lions’ first penalty shootout win in World Cup history and the first time in 12 years they have won a tournament knockout game.

Boss Southgate hopes the result will pave the way for future England teams to achieve more success for years to come.

“I think it’s an important moment for everybody in our country,” he said.

“You know, you are standing there, and if we don’t get through from a game we played so well in, you know you will continue the history and mindset for teams to come.

“I think in terms of what they are capable of over the next few years, they are going to get better.

“So it’s a huge moment for these players, but also the next generations to come as well.”

Hopes are now high that England can go all the way to the final in Moscow a week on Sunday.

Southgate is determined to keep his players’ feet on the ground so England’s dreams do not flounder on the wave of optimism sweeping the nation.

But Southgate is optimistic, saying his side have developed a bond like never before, based on good old-fashioned values. “Bar probably the last 30 seconds of the 90 minutes in terms of how they managed the game, they did it exceptionally well,” said Southgate of Tuesday’s memorable win.

“They are still a young group of players, especially the back players. So it was really significant because we can’t just be a team that goes out and plays.

“You have got to be savvy enough and tactically aware and ready to manage games.

“That’s what makes the difference in big matches, like European matches and international matches.

“Also they have a humility about them. I talked to them before the game about where they all started and with the different clubs.

“We are based on working hard for each other. We don’t carry anybody, they all pressed, they all have good organisation and they are prepared to graft and dig in for each other.

“I know those are slightly old-fashioned qualities, but we don’t have the right to just