Gareth Southgate's glory Lions must finish the job after another major semis

England boss Gareth Southgate hailed his side's grit and determination as they battle past stubborn Swiss, but the job is not done yet for the Three Lions.

'That's the challenge now - we've got to go on and win it,' a delighted Gareth Southgate told Euro2024.com after wat

ching his resilient England side hold their nerve in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout to edge past a spirited Switzerland and book their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

The Three Lions were forced to come from behind in Gelsenkirchen, with Breel Embolo's 75th-minute strike putting the Swiss in pole position to cause a major upset.

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But Bukayo Saka's superb leveller five minutes later ensured the quarter-final clash would go to extra time, before a tense penalty shootout, which Southgate's men eventually won 5-3.

Gareth Southgate and England at the Euro 2024

In the aftermath, the England boss praised his players' bravery and resilience, insisting they are now primed to go all the way and lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

The players have shown tremendous character to come from behind against a very good Switzerland side,' Southgate said. 

Our defensive work was spot on, our pressing was excellent, and we used the ball far better than we have done all tournament. Now we've got to maintain those standards in the semi-finals.'

England's nerve-shredding victory means they have now reached the last four of a major competition for the third time under Southgate's stewardship, cementing his status as one of the country's most successful managers in recent memory.

And the former defender believes his side's penalty shootout prowess, having now won three out of four in tournament football, will serve them well as they aim to end England's 58-year wait for a major international trophy.

We've done a lot of work on penalties, and the players have shown incredible composure to see us through again,' Southgate said.

In the end, it's down to them to hold their nerve, and they've done that brilliantly. We're in the semi-finals, and now we've got to finish the job.'

Up next for Southgate and his Three Lions is another nervy clash against the Netherlands, who also came from behind and needed extra time to see off Turkiye in the final quarterfinal. 

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