England manager Gareth Southgate has led his country to a third semi-final in four major tournaments but ahead of Wednesday’s last-four showdown against the Netherlands at Euro 2024, critics of the Three Lions’ boring football are mounting. 

Should England end a 58-year wait to win a major trophy in Berlin on Sunday, supporters would not take umbrage with the team’s style, or lack thereof, but the inability of such an array of attacking stars to excite has stunned viewers across the continent. Fans tossed beer cups at Southgate during a dull goalless draw with Slovenia but all will be forgiven if England triumph in Berlin on July 14. “I don’t think it is normal to have beer thrown at you,” said Southgate. “But we will keep grinding, keep fighting and keep enjoying this journey.”