England were immense in victory over Germany, says Southgate

Gareth Southgate heaped praise on his “immense” players after England beat Germany and set-up a Euro 2020 quarter-final clash against Ukraine.

The Three Lions struck twice just as fear began to creep in about another major competition exit to Die Mann sc ha ft on Tuesday, when the squad heeded their manager’s advice to make their own history.

Ra he em Sterling and Harry Kane scored in the 2-0 last-16 win, with Football’s Coming Home echoing around Wembleyat the end of England’ s biggest match on homes oil since Euro 96.

It was also just their second ever European Championship knockout triumph, with attention now turning to Saturday’s meeting with Andriy Shevchenko’s side in Rome.

“I think the players were immense,” England manager Southgate said. “Right the way through the team they were immense.

“They have given the fans in the stadium, who were also incredible( a great day ). I’ve been here with a full house and not heard it anywhere near the levelsthat the crowd found today.

“But they were behind everychallenge, they were behind every time we pressed the ball, they were behind every run we had and the energy was incredible in the stadium.

“So, to be able to send them home feeling as they do, to hear them at the end … I mean, you can’t beat a bit of Sweet Caroline, can you? That’s a belter, really.”

It was a moment to cherish for England and underlined the strides being made by the 2018 World Cup semifinalists.

From Jordan Pickford’s key saves at important times to the three-man defence keeping England’s fourth clean sheet of the tournament and a mature mid field display, it was a fine all-round performance. The celebration sat full time will livelong in the memory but the players’ attention quickly turned to Saturday’s match in Italy and a shot at a semi-final spot.

“It didn’t really need me to say it but when we get in the dressing room, we were talking about Saturday already,” Southgate added.

“It has been an immense performance but at a cost, emotionally and physically, and we’ve got to make sure that we recover well and that mentally we’re in the right space. It’s a dangerous moment for us.”