IEngland always regain control. In the biggest games, with the stakes high and the pressure mounting, they were never able to stay ahead under Gareth Southgate. In fact, when Declan Rice stood up to chat during England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands thanks to Ollie Watkins’ superb strike, what he most remembers was his victory at the European Championships. The initiative was squandered after beating Italy 1-0.
Three years on, the memories of Roberto Mancini’s tactical changes, Marco Verratti and Jorginho’s overtaking of England and the eventual penalty shootout are still painful.
“Seeing Italy lift the trophy will haunt me forever,” Rice said. “Compared to last time, we know what we have to do, in terms of how to control the game, rather than sit back and wait like we did in previous tournaments and when Italy attacked us. We know what it takes to win this final.
After beating a good but not formidable Dutch side, England had a sense of reality. Southgate disagrees with the idea that Spain may lack the experience to handle Sunday’s final in Berlin. Luis de la Fuentes’ side are favorites and Southgate believes England must be perfect to beat them.
Rice marveled at Spanish 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamar’s shot into the top corner against France. “We have a lot of respect for them,” he said. “I wanted a scholarship when I was 16 and Yamal put one in the top box. They have a lot of experienced captains and some good midfielders.
Southgate has had help from big names in the squad. His faith in Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw and Rice is unwavering. But he was witnessing the emergence of a new spirit. The rising status of Eberechi Ezei, Mark Gay, Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, Kobe Minu and Watkins brought new enthusiasm to the team.
The nerves Southgate felt after England’s draw with Denmark have disappeared. They produced their best football of the World Cup in the first half against the Netherlands, with Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Mainu forming an incredibly skilled trio.
Worryingly, England’s performance went awry after the Netherlands adjusted their tactics in the second half. For a long time little happened. The introductions of Palmer and Watkins clearly worked, but periods when England lost momentum remain a problem. Against Spain, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo will be fighting for possession in the midfield, so there can be no let-up.
England’s performance won’t be as bad as it was against Italy. After the final, UEFA technical observers reported that the England team, which adopted a 3-4-2-1 formation, played too many long balls, was “fearful of losing” and did not use full-backs correctly in the second half.
The 3-4-2-1 in 2024 is more aggressive. Southgate essentially picked eight defensive players against Italy, with Shaw and Trippier at full-back. Now, one of his full-backs – Saka – is essentially playing as a winger. Mainu is more aggressive than Kalvin Phillips in midfield, and Jude Bellingham and Foden are better No. 10s than Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.
“In the last two games we talked about Switzerland and Holland and how they run the ball, but our ball control is just as good, if not better,” Rice said. “I feel very good with Kobe, very close to play together. Stones and the back three really help. The teenage Jude and Phil really help.
“When we sat down, we felt solid. The improvement at the back compared to the last European Cup is that we have better control of the ball. Players at club level are used to getting the ball under pressure and playing in the pocket.
Newsletter Promotion Post
Rice was at fault when Harvey Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead and he spoke of regaining his composure after the mistake. England have trailed in all three knockout games but they continue to produce special moments, such as Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia, a cold penalty against Switzerland and Watkins’ performance as Dortmund’s latest super-sub.
“Before you manage a European final, there are a lot of different things around you,” Southgate said. “You can’t help but learn from these experiences. The whole group has proven that through their six games. There’s a lot to absorb, a lot that’s in my head.
In Rice’s mind, his partnership with Mainoo, a surprisingly mature 19-year-old, is flourishing. This, more than anything, should bring confidence to England. Their midfield was in disarray at the start of the game, with Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring three against Slovenia and Connor Gallagher being sent off on the stroke of half-time. But Mainu’s ball-handling ability provided the solution.
With Rice at the helm, and in a system that puts more players in the middle, it’s easier for Mainoo to express himself. The defensive weaknesses were more obvious when England played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but are less so now.
“You talked to him and you could feel his calm presence,” Rice said. “He wasn’t afraid to tell the truth. Towards the end of the game he gave me a pass between the lines and I was sold short. We had to rush back and we fought with each other, but it was good, Because you need that relationship when you’re 19, I can’t imagine how many people would say that to an older player, and that’s why I like him.
“That’s what the boys like about him. He’s got respect, he’s got leadership. The way he takes the ball and the conversations we have every day bring us together.
The next challenge for Rice and Mainu is to work closely together against Spain. If England can maintain control of the midfield, they will have a chance of winning their first overseas final.
