The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
England run spurred by Iceland defeat
Eric Dier believes England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals has been fuelled by a desire to make amends for their Euro 2016 humiliation.
England crashed out of the European Championships two years ago with a shock loss to Iceland at the last-16 stage.
Much has changed since then with new manager Gareth Southgate leading a revamped and re-energised squad on an impressive run through this summer’s tournament in Russia.
England will now play Croatia tomorrow for a chance to secure a place in the final for the first time since 1966.
Midfielder Dier said: “After the Iceland game we knew that things needed to change. There have been a lot of changes since that moment.
“It was a moment where we were extremely disappointed and couldn’t let that happen again. We knew we could only make amends for that moment here at this World Cup. Nothing else would fix what happened.
“That is what we have been trying to do. We have learned from our mistakes.”
England reached the last four with victory over Sweden on Saturday.
It is the furthest they have progressed in the tournament since 1990 but Dier insists nobody in the squad is congratulating themselves yet.
The 24-year-old said: “I don’t think we have succeeded yet. Success is hard to define but in my eyes, and everyone’s back at the hotel, this isn’t success yet. We’re hungry for more.
“Hopefully we can continue to show that on Wednesday. After the game against Sweden we switched our attention to Wednesday and we are focused on that game.
“We know there can be even better nights the longer we go in the tournament.
“We have loved every minute, every game, but we know there can be a lot more enjoyment if we continue on this path.”
Team-mate Ashley Young, who carried out media duties yesterday along with Dier, believes England have put themselves in an excellent position but insists nobody is getting carried away.
The left wing-back said: “I think we have got a great chance. We have put ourselves in a great position to go on and win it.
“I said before the start of the tournament we’re not going out there not to win the World Cup.
“But we haven’t won anything yet. There is no point in celebrating.
“Obviously it was nice to get the victory and the celebrations were muted just because we know there are still big games to come. We know there is a lot to play for.”
Young is preparing for a tough encounter against Croatia.
He said: “Croatia are a very good team. They are not in the semi-final for no reason. We have got to be prepared for them.”
“Luka Modric is a fantastic player but they have players around the squad who are going to be difficult opponents.”
Croatia moved to Moscow from their previous base in Saint Petersburg after that dramatic victory over Russia on Saturday – their second straight win on penalties.
Juventus star Mario Mandzukic is one of several highly-experienced players the Three Lions must get past if they are to reach the final.
The striker, who scored the first of his 31 international goals in a defeat by Fabio Capello’s England in 2008, has played more than 500 games for top sides in Croatia, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as 87 caps for his country.
On whether Croatia’s extra guile could make the difference, Mandzukic said: “I agree Croatia has more experienced players but we’ve also got some great young players and that’s what has made us so good in this tournament.
“I would say the chances are 50-50 and that applies to everyone in the last four. We do not fear anyone but we respect everyone and believe in ourselves.”
Dismissing the idea that Croatia might be tired after playing two 120minute games, Mandzukic said “nobody was complaining” and added: “You’ll see at the match that we’re ready to go and we will leave our last drop of sweat on the pitch to achieve our goal.”
Tomorrow’s game will be handled by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir.