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Memorable matches during Gareth Southgate’s time with England

England manager Gareth Southgate will coach his 100th match as national team manager on Saturday.

He will play his century against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship in Düsseldorf.

The PA news agency selects five of his most memorable matches here.

England 1 Croatia 2 (AET), 2018 World Cup Semi-Finals – 11 July 2018

England manager Gareth Southgate applauds fans after World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia
England manager Gareth Southgate applauds fans after the World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia. (Adam Davy/PA)

Southgate’s pride was as clear as his sadness when England’s remarkable summer in Russia came to an abrupt end just before the World Cup final.

After a penalty shootout win against Colombia was followed by a comfortable 2-0 quarter-final victory over Sweden, the country came to a standstill when the team played Croatia as they looked to keep the dream of bringing football to their home country alive.

An early free-kick from Kieran Trippier sent England on their way to their first final since 1966, but Southgate’s men were unable to emulate Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes after Croatia staged a comeback.

Ivan Perisic equalised and Mario Mandzukic secured a 2-1 victory in extra time, placing the country in its first World Cup final. England’s manager wondered what could have happened.

Spain 2 England 3, Nations League Group Stage – October 15, 2018

England's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring his first goal of the match for his team during the Nations League match against Spain
England’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring his first goal of the match for his team during their Nations League match against Spain. (Nick Potts/PA)

England won bronze in the inaugural Nations League final in Portugal in 2019, but it was their group stage result, just months after their mourning in Luzhniki, that captured the imagination.

Southgate was proud of the courage, bravery and quality his players showed as his team beat Spain 3-2.

Raheem Sterling ended his 1,102-day wait for an international goal in Sevilla, opening the scoring and scoring again after Marcus Rashford had fired home.

It was a breathtaking first half that brought back memories of the 5-1 defeat to Germany in 2001, but Spain recovered and piled on the pressure after the break when substitute Paco Alcacer tapped back a goal.

Sergio Ramos scored again in injury time, but England did enough to secure victory.

England 2 Germany 0, Euro 2020 last 16 – June 29, 2021

England's Harry Kane (left) and Declan Rice celebrate victory over Germany at Euro 2020
England’s Harry Kane (left) and Declan Rice celebrate victory over Germany at Euro 2020. (Nick Potts/PA)

From the 1970 World Cup and the phantom goal in 2010 to the heartbreaking penalty shootouts in the semi-finals of Italy 90 and Euro 96, matches against Germany bring back painful memories.

But England’s players showed little sign of fear, nerves or baggage at Wembley last year, following Southgate’s advice to make their own history as Sterling and Kane secured a famous 2-0 last-16 victory.

The noise at the national stadium belied the 40,000 or so spectators due to coronavirus restrictions and Southgate heaped praise on his “immense” players after they secured a historic, morale-boosting victory at the end of England’s biggest match on home soil since their Euro 96 semi-final.

England 1 Italy 1 (Italy wins 3-2 on penalties), Euro 2020 Final – 11 July 2021

England manager Gareth Southgate consoles Jadon Sancho after penalty shootout defeat to Italy in Euro 2020 final
England manager Gareth Southgate consoles Jadon Sancho after the penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final. (Nick Potts/PA)

England only reached the final of a major tournament after beating Germany by beating Ukraine and Denmark.

But the long wait for a major trophy continued after Southgate’s side saw their Euro 2020 dreams dashed in a heartbreaking penalty defeat to Italy.

Luke Shaw’s early success at a swinging Wembley left fans dreaming of football coming home instead of to Rome.

But Italy took control of the final and deservedly equalised through Leonardo Bonucci. The match went into extra time and after a 1-1 score it went to penalties.

Pickford denied Andrea Belotti and Jorginho, but Rashford hit the post before his substitutes Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were denied, giving Italy a 3-2 win in the shootout.

England 0 Hungary 4, Nations League group stage – June 14, 2022

England manager Gareth Southgate appears dejected following the Nations League defeat to Hungary
England manager Gareth Southgate looked dejected during the Nations League defeat to Hungary. (Nick Potts/PA)

The first time Southgate faced mass criticism in a stadium was at Molineux, where Hungary suffered a shock defeat.

Two goals from Roland Sallai gave the visitors a deserved lead, while Zsolt Nagy secured victory with a long-range shot. John Stones was sent off in the second half and Daniel Gazdag’s goal added the gloss.

The 4-0 defeat was the second against Hungary in 10 days and was England’s worst home defeat since 1928. Southgate was booed for much of the second half and cries of “you don’t know what you’re doing” could be heard from the stands.

England were relegated to Division B of the Nations League, having failed to win any of their six matches in a group that also included Italy and Germany.

Southgate called it a “shameless night” as support from the nation he has been teetering on since the 2018 World Cup in the West Midlands largely waned.

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