Continuing its expansive coverage of Euro 2020, operator Betfred published the post-match press conference of Gareth Southgate, alongside the firm’s tournament diary last night. 

A jubilant Southgate urged supporters not to get carried away with the excitement of Euro 2020, after the Three Lions ousted Germany from the tournament yesterday evening to book their place in the quarter-finals.

He also lauded the performance of his team, who breezed to a 2-0 victory over Joachim Löw’s side, with goals from Raheem Sterling and captain Harry Kane.

“The players were immense right the way through the team,” he reflected. “I’ve been here with a full house and not heard it anywhere near the levels that the crowd found today – but they were behind every challenge, behind every time we pressed the ball and behind every run we had. The energy was incredible within the stadium.

“To be able to send them home feeling as they do tonight and to hear them at the end – you can’t beat a bit of Sweet Caroline, can you? That’s a belter really.

“To know that so many millions of people after a difficult year at home can have that enjoyment that I know we’ll have given them is very special.”

With Ukraine on the horizon – after beating Sweden 2-1 in the last-16 fixture – the Three Lions boss has his sights set firmly on Saturday, when England look to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

He continued: “It didn’t really need me to say it but when we got into the dressing room, we were talking about Saturday already because it’s been an immense performance but at a cost – emotionally and physically – and we’ve got to make sure we recover well.

“It’s a dangerous moment for us. We’ll have that warmth of success and the feeling around the country that we’ve only got to turn up to win the thing but we know it’s going to be an immense challenge from hereon.”

Having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, before Croatia broke England hearts, Southgate insisted the players will take those experiences into the weekend’s clash.

“The players know that and they’ve been to the latter stages before so they know how difficult that’s been, so they’re feet are on the ground. They should be confident in the way they’ve played and the manner of the performance, but we came here with an intention and we’ve not achieved that yet.”