After wins in their first two games, England is a huge favorite to qualify for the Euro 2024 in Germany. Of course, Gareth Southgate would never acknowledge it, but with two games remaining in Group C, England is a virtual lock to finish in one of the two qualifying slots. They were favorites from the start, but in the first four days of European qualification, they overcame two of the group’s most difficult obstacles, including a first victory over reigning champions Italy in more than 60 years. Roberto Mancini’s team has since fallen from glory, but following England’s dreary Nations League defeat at the San Siro last year, there was no assurance they would not revert to their terrible form that had been put on hold during the World Cup.
But a professional performance, including seeing out the game with 10 men surprisingly comfortably, put a spring in England’s step ahead of Sunday’s game with Ukraine – and after some difficult times in the previous 12 months, this felt as routine a victory as the Three Lions have produced in some time. During the next international break in June, England will play a doubleheader against Malta and North Macedonia, and after overcoming the two other moderately successful nations in their group, few would expect England to finish with 12 points out of 12.
Detractors of Gareth Southgate will point to results against an off-color Italy and a Ukraine team that was knocked out of World Cup qualification by Wales. Yet it’s to his credit that in his six years on the job, qualifying at canter has become a common expectation. Behind the scenes, he’ll already be planning how to conquer England’s next major challenge in only 15 months, while also adding some cutlery to the mix.
“Whatever transpired last week, I still thought it was the right option [to stay],” England boss Gareth Southgate said after preparation for Euro 2024. “For starters, I believe the team can continue to progress, and had the decision been different, this would have been a difficult week for someone else to come in and take two matches in such a short period of time.”
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