Three Lions can win it, says Big Al
FORMER England captain Alan Shearer sees parallels between the Three Lions’ progress to the World Cup semi-finals and their similar success back in Euro 96.
The Newcastle United legend ended that European Championship tournament with the Golden Boot, while England were agonisingly knocked out on home soil in the last four.
Gareth Southgate’s current squad have become the first Three Lions team in 28 years to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, and they face Croatia in the last four tomorrow night.
Before the tournament began, Shearer admits he did not see England impressing out in Russia – but now the former Three Lions forward believes they could win the competition.
Given the fact England were a “laughing stock” after exiting Euro 2016 at the last-16 stage following defeat to minnows Iceland, it has been a rapid turnaround in the space of two years.
“England were a laughing stock after the European Championship two years ago – but not any more,” Shearer wrote in his column for the BBC Sport website.
“Now everyone knows who we are, and also how we play.
“I think manager Gareth Southgate has let everyone know that with what he has done during this World Cup – and it has been brilliant to watch this team grow and grow.
“Before the tournament started, I could not make a case for us winning it. I just wanted to see some signs of improvement.
“But beat Croatia, and England are in the final. It is amazing just to be able to say that, and a great feeling to think about what could happen next.
“We are buzzing here in Moscow, and back home we know the country is going berserk – and rightly so – because we have got an amazing opportunity to win this tournament.
“Is it really coming home? You’ve got to believe, haven’t you? And everything does seem to be falling into place.
“I am feeling the same way as a pundit and fan now as I did when I was an England player during Euro 96, when we reached the semi-finals and I was thinking: ‘We can do this, we can go all the way.’
“We fell agonisingly short then, but you just get a feeling it will be different this time.”