Gareth Southgate makes unforgivable Euro 2024 mistake once again as England beat Switzerland on penalties
England are through to the semi-finals
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England had to do it the hard way in reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Switzerland on penalties, but Gareth Southgate did little to help his side's cause.
It's not been the European Championships England fans would have expected from Gareth Southgate's side heading into the tournament.
The Three Lions almost accidentally topped their group by virtue of everyone else being worse than them as opposed to winning top spot themselves.
A piece of magic from Jude Bellingham last week against Slovakia kept them in the tournament with Harry Kane then popping up to send England through.
But there's not been a lot to shout about for England over the past few weeks, even though they landed on the better side of the draw.
Despite the lacklustre displays, optimism grew once more ahead of kick-off against Switzerland with Southgate making a change in shape to his side.
England are through to the semi-finals
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Phil Foden was going to be pushed into his more favoured central role alongside Bellingham with England using wing-backs in a back five.
On paper, the move made sense with the hope it would unlock something that has been missing from an England side featuring last year's Bundesliga top scorer and the two players of the season in the Premier League and La Liga.
And there were promising signs early on against Switzerland with Bukayo Saka thriving in his role at right wing-back, causing the Swiss all kinds of trouble.
But the same problems from the past few weeks began to pop up once again
Harry Kane was dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball, stepping on the toes of the attacking midfielders.
The lack of a left-footer on the left flank limited England's attacking options with Kieran Trippier having to cut back onto his right.
Bellingham and Foden drifted in and out of the game too often with a lack of creativity to try and unlock their opponent.
But worst of all was how England once again appeared reactive as opposed to proactive.
The Three Lions were seemingly waiting for opportunities to open up instead of actively trying to create them
Much like the rest of the tournament, Southgate's side were happy to sit back with no real desire to make something happen.
Saka was the only exception against Switzerland with the Arsenal star constantly taking on opponents and he was fully deserving of his incredible equaliser.
But that only came in response to Switzerland taking the lead with Southgate making his changes immediately after going behind.
England look a far greater threat with Cole Palmer in the side but Southgate has too often left it late to bring on the exciting Chelsea attacker.
The timing of England's substitutions is something Southgate has failed to grasp at this year's championships
Harry Kane was ineffective against Switzerland
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The 53-year-old, taking charge of his 100th England game, has tried to bat away criticism of his playing style by insisting all that matters is the result.
But this is an England side who are rightfully expected to win against teams such as Slovakia and Switzerland inside 90 minutes.
The Three Lions are blessed with arguably the best attacking players in the world with Foden, Bellingham, Kane, Saka and Palmer to choose from.
Fans want to see England play to their strengths, but Southgate has been too careful leaving his side too open at the back.
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Gareth Southgate was reactive as opposed to proactive
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No team has won a major competition without taking some form of risk. Saka's equaliser wouldn't have happened had he not taken the risk to cut inside and take a shot from range. Bellingham's dramatic goal against Slovakia wouldn't have happened had he not taken the risk of trying an audacious overhead kick with seconds left in the game.
Risks are part and parcel of the game and was exactly why the players ended up winning on penalties.
Jordan Pickford took a risk in diving to his left in the hope of stopping Manuel Akanji's spot-kick and Trent Alexander-Arnold threw caution to the wind with his nail-biting winning penalty.
England need more of that in normal time if they're to go all the way and Southgate knows he has the players capable of doing just that.
Let them loose.