Southgate shuts down German journalist's accusation that England had 'easy runs'

Gareth Southgate has shut down suggestions that England have had 'easy runs' in major tournaments after reaching his third semi-final in four tournaments.

The Three Lions reached the last-four at Euro 2024 with a penalty shootout victory over Switzerland on Saturday night.

England have also played Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia and Slovakia on their way to reaching the semi-final - avoiding some of the bigger nations in the competition who are on the other side of the draw.

At Euro 2020, England won a group involving Croatia, Czechia and Scotland, before beating Germany, Ukraine and Denmark on the way to the final where they were beaten by Italy on penalties. The Three Lions also reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup.

After England's victory over Switzerland, Southgate shut down a German journalist's accusation that the Three Lions have had easy runs.

The journalist, when naming the sides England faced at Euro 2020, said that the Three Lions had beat a 'poor German team'.

Southgate instantly questioned the comment, to which the journalist doubled down saying that the German side was poor three years ago.

The England boss then fired back: 'Yeah, but I am saying they had about eight Champions League winners in that squad.'

After the journalist then named the sides England have faced this time around, Southgate said: 'Look, the teams we've played are because we won our group. If you go back through history, England had different routes to the final because we didn't win our group.

'I understand of course, you'd rather not have to jump the Grand National to win the tournament.

'Most teams, when you have back-to-back games, two, three, four games against big nations the margins are so fine and then those games end up quite even - you win one, you lose one, so it's very tough to go through those processes.

'I'm not really sure what to say, it's the madness of this job, but it's been an enjoyable night and I will try to keep it that way.'

It is not the first time that Southgate has hit out at suggestions that England have had an easy draw.

Ahead of the game against Switzerland, he said: 'I would say that's a classic example of the entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents.

'We're playing a football nation who have played enormously well and have pride. Our focus is on how we play to the best of our ability.

'We've only had two finals in our history, three semi-finals. Lots of nations who we might perceive to be smaller have far better records than us.'

The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1, to set up a semi-final with England in Dortmund on Wednesday night.

Whoever prevails, will face the winner of France's semi-final with Spain, in Berlin next Sunday.