Gareth Southgate insists England’s squad has been united by their dramatic Euros fightback.
Southgate believes the last-gasp nature of their victory can be a game-changer for England and help carry them to glory. Jude Bellingham scored a spectacular 95th minute equaliser and then Harry Kane got the winner against Slovakia to earn England a quarter final date with Switzerland on Saturday.
But Southgate insisted it was not just the star names but the whole squad was unified by the comeback, they all played their part and now they have the chance to step up a gear.
England boss Southgate said: “What can't be questioned is the togetherness of the group, the way they're fighting for each other and in knock-out football that can be as important as everything else.
“There’s no question it will give the whole group belief. Boys that came on and contributed that had a big impact on what we were doing.
“The togetherness and the spirit that you need. The character they've shown, they're going to take so much from what they've come through.
“When you win with all the top players on the pitch, that's one thing, but when you win with all the guys that have gone in at a critical moment, that doesn't half build a spirit in the group.”
Southgate was honest enough to admit that England will need to improve dramatically to beat Switzerland who outclassed Italy in the last 16.
They will also be without Marc Guehi who has been one of England’s stand-out players but was booked against Slovakia and will now serve a suspension against Switzerland.
Southgate added: “I know that we’ve got to be better and we’ve got a very tough team to prepare for. So I’m already onto that. But I am so proud of the players.
“We're trying to solve lots of problems in the best way we possibly can and with Marc being out now, we've got another issue to solve, and we'll keep trying to find the best way of doing that.”
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