Gareth Southgate saluted England's "best achievement" as they beat the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the Euro 2024 final - and their first in a major tournament on foreign soil.

The Three Lions set up a final showdown with Spain, who beat France by the same scoreline in the other semi-final, after edging out the Oranje thanks to Ollie Watkins' last-gasp winner in Dortmund.

The Aston Villa forward climbed off the bench to replace Harry Kane, whose penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons' early strike, and struck in the 90th minute to send England into delirium.

Southgate's side fell at the final hurdle at the delayed Euro 2020, as they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak against Italy at Wembley.

But having become only the fourth nation to reach successive European Championship finals, the Three Lions now have the opportunity to go one better on Sunday and potentially end their 58-year wait for major tournament silverware.

"This has to be the best [achievement]," Southgate told ITV Sport. "Very special night and, hopefully, very special for everyone at home. I thought our performance was really good.

"It was a complicated game, they kept changing, we had to respond. We caused them problems all night, and the end is so special for the squad.

"You knew with the Netherlands, they have more quality, so they can punish you like they did, but there's more opportunity to play.

"The most important thing is that the whole squad are ready to come into the game. We spend a lot of time with [the substitutes], and I'm so chuffed for Ollie.
 
"We felt, energy wise, we were starting to lose some pressure [in the second half]. Ollie can press well and make those runs in behind. We thought it was a good moment to try him.
 
"We deserved to win tonight. We were very fluid in our formation, it wasn't just a back three, we had to adapt all the time and the players made so many good decisions.

"This is what we came here to do, and we have been building for two years. We have got to enjoy tonight, but equally, it is such a quick turnaround and we have a day less [to prepare] than the team who have been the best at the tournament."

Where did England's tournament start to turn?

Was it with Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick against Slovakia?

Was it with Bukayo Saka's exquisite equaliser against Switzerland?

Was it when Jordan Pickford and Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged them over the line in the shootout?

Or what about seven minutes into Wednesday's meeting with the Netherlands, when Xavi Simons cannoned in the earliest goal scored in a Euros semi-final since Alan Shearer scored for England against Germany in 1996?

Strange, perhaps, but it was that goal that seemed to see the shackles finally come off for the Three Lions. They had stuttered and staggered their way through Euro 2024, but eventually that approach can, and almost certainly will, come unstuck.

Yet after that Simons strike had rifled in beyond Pickford, a fire seemed to spark in England's bellies. 

This was the time it had to come good. It was do or die. And for much of Wednesday's clash in Dortmund, England were the better side and, arguably for the first time in the tournament, deserved victors.

It did not come easy, of course. Harry Kane pulled them level from the spot after a contentious VAR decision in the 18th minute. Phil Foden had a deft touch cleared off the line and saw the post deny him a wondergoal. 

One of the criticisms aimed at Gareth Southgate has been his use of Foden, but a switch of system in the quarter-final saw the Premier League's Player of the Season truly arrive in Germany. In the first half, he completed all 27 of his passes, and had the most shots (three). Behind him, Kobbie Mainoo, the youngest player to feature for England in the semi-finals of a major tournament, dovetailed brilliantly with Declan Rice.

The second half was a different story. Ronald Koeman reacted, the Dutch shored things up in midfield. They had the best chances, looking dangerous from set-pieces.

For long swathes of the second period, it looked as though the fear of losing had come back to freeze England, to grip Southgate and his players. Were they playing for extra time? Had that bravery gone?

But at the right time, Southgate turned to his bench. Kane, now the record goalscorer in the knockout stage at the Euros, made way for Ollie Watkins. Foden went off to be replaced by Cole Palmer. Bukayo Saka had just seen a goal disallowed, though extra time seemed to be beckoning.

And like his changes worked against Switzerland; like they worked against Slovakia, when Ivan Toney helped turn the tide, Southgate's substitutions worked again.

Watkins stretched the Dutch defence, Palmer threaded through an inch-perfect pass. Watkins spun Stefan de Vrij and, with a swish of his right boot, from the tightest of angles, picked out the opposite corner with a finish that came with an expected goals value of just 0.1.

It is only the second 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie. Timed at 89:59, it was the latest winning goal scored in the semi-final at the Euros or Wolrd Cup (excluding extra time).

It was also England's only shot on target in the second half of this match.

But the bravery was there. The intent was there from the moment England went behind. 

"It's something that is built through failure, through the first few games that didn’t go so well, but it's important you build that fire and build some sort of resistance through it. It's important we came together," said Bellingham, whose lung-busting run down the left in the dying seconds helped get England over the line.

"These moments are great – it brings us together as a team and a family, because of that you get stronger. They make us more together, it's about taking that into the final now."

England are together. They have now reached the final in two of their four major tournaments under Southgate (also Euro 2020) – they had only done so in one of their previous 23 World Cup/Euros appearances.

They finished this match with 1.3 xG to the Dutch's 0.56. They had more shots (nine to seven) and more touches in the opponent's box (19 to 11). They were better. Now, they are on the brink of history. Spain stand in their way.

Harry Kane revelled in the "special" feeling after England clinched their Euro 2024 final place in dramatic fashion, acknowledging the Three Lions now have "one more game to make history".

Ollie Watkins climbed off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner as Gareth Southgate's side edged out the Netherlands to set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday's showpiece.

The match had appeared set to head for extra time with Kane's penalty drawing England level after Xavi Simons had fired the Oranje in front.

But there was to be a dramatic late twist with Watkins, on as a substitute for the skipper, sending the Three Lions through to their first final at a major tournament on foreign soil, and move them within one victory of their first silverware since 1966.

"History made. Amazing achievement," Kane told ITV Sport. "Every player, every member of staff, I'm so proud of them.

"To do what we've done away from home is really special. There's that feeling there's one more left, and we need to do that on Sunday.

"Especially in the first half, we had a lot of control. Second half, there were a few tired legs out there. Overall, I thought we deserved to win it.

"There's one more game to make history. That's what we're excited about. It's been a tough journey, but there's one more. 90 minutes, 120, penalties - whatever it takes, we'll be there. I'm looking forward to it."

Watkins was making only his second appearance at the tournament, having also replaced Kane during England's second Group C game against Denmark.

Kane and Jude Bellingham paid tribute to the Aston Villa forward, saluting his patience and for grasping his opportunity.

"We talk about being ready. We're a big team at being ready," Kane said. "When it matters, you might get five minutes, one minute, but you can make a difference, you can win us a tournament.

"He's been waiting, he's been patient. What he did was outstanding and he deserves it."

Bellingham added: "I'm so happy for him. He came on, took his opportunity. As a team, we're buzzing for him.

"You miss your family, your holidays and you're not starting every game like you would at the club – but Ollie’s a hero, he's saved us."

Ollie Watkins told Cole Palmer he would set him up for a goal as they were waiting to come on for England.

The forward then scored the winning goal, assisted by Palmer, to seal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and book their place in the Euro 2024 final.

The Three Lions had to come from behind once again after Xavi Simons' early goal gave the Netherlands the lead, before Harry Kane levelled from the spot shortly after.

Asked about his goal, Watkins said he knew what to expect as soon as Palmer got the ball at his feet.

"I've been waiting for that moment for weeks," Watkins told ITV Sport after the game.

"It's taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. Grateful I got the opportunity, and I grabbed it with both hands. I'm delighted.

"I swear on my life and my kid's life, I said to Cole Palmer: We're coming on today and you're gonna set me up.

"And that's why I was so happy with Coley. I knew as soon as he got the ball, he was gonna play me and you've got to be greedy.

"Touch and finish. When I saw it go in the bottom corner, best feeling ever."

One criticism of Gareth Southgate at the tournament so far has been the timing of his substitutions, with the England manager often choosing to leave it late before making any changes.

Watkins has defended his manager's tactics, crediting the "special" nature of the squad.

"There's been a lot of critiscism but at the end of the day we're in the final," he added. "So forget the outside noise, we're in the final.

"It's special. We've got that bounce-back factor. Going a goal behind seems to kick us into gear.

"We never give up. We've won on penalties, we've come from behind. One more game. We're ready for Spain."

Ollie Watkins was the hero as England booked their place in the Euro 2024 final with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund.

The Aston Villa forward climbed off the bench to strike a 90th-minute winner in Dortmund, where the Three Lions set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday’s final.

The contest appeared set to head into extra time after Harry Kane's penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons' impressive long-range strike.

However, there was to be a 90th-minute twist when Watkins drilled past Bart Verbruggen to send Gareth Southgate's side through to their second successive Euros showpiece.

It took only seven minutes for this tie to spark into life – Simons robbed Declan Rice of possession and, from 20 yards out, unleased a fierce strike that flew beyond Jordan Pickford and into the left-hand corner.

England had their equaliser 11 minutes later, albeit in contentious fashion. Kane lashed an effort over, but after a VAR check, Denzel Dumfries was deemed to have caught the Three Lions captain with a high boot.

Dumfries redeemed himself five minutes later as he cleared off the line to prevent Phil Foden from completing the turnaround.

He almost put the Dutch ahead just before the half-hour, only for his header to cannon away off the crossbar.

Foden went agonisingly close again soon after – his curling effort rattling the left-hand upright with Verbruggen beaten.

The Netherlands created the first decent opportunity of the second half with Pickford beating away Virgil van Dijk's volley from a Joey Veerman free-kick in the 64th minute.

England thought they had taken the lead with 11 minutes remaining when Bukayo Saka turned home Kyle Walker's low cross, but the strike was ruled out with the latter having strayed marginally offside.

But with the tie seemingly destined for extra time, Cole Palmer slipped in his fellow substitute Watkins, who superbly found the opposite corner from a tight angle to send the Three Lions into delirium.

More history for Southgate's Three Lions

England advanced to their first major competition final on foreign soil in the most dramatic manner, while becoming the first team in European Championship history to reach the final despite trailing in both their quarter-final and semi-final ties.

Kane drew England level from the penalty spot with his record-breaking sixth goal in the Euros knockout stages.

The England skipper also now has more knockout stage goals in major tournaments than any other European player with nine, while he became the third player to score in successive European Championship semi-finals – and first since Viktor Ponedelnik and Valentin Ivanov, who both achieved the feat for the Soviet Union in 1960 and 1964.

Kane then made way for Watkins, who more than made his mark. His brilliant strike from a tight angle was only the second ever 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie, after Phillip Lahm’s effort for Germany against Turkiye in the 2008 semi-finals.

More importantly, it takes the Three Lions within one more victory of ending 58 years of hurt.

More semi-final heartbreak

Once again, the semi-final proved to be the stumbling block for the Netherlands at the Euros.

The Oranje have fond memories of the BVB Stadion. It was here that they beat Brazil 2-0 to reach the World Cup final 50 years ago.

However, Simon's early strike proved a false dawn for the Dutch and Koeman, who was part of the side that recorded their only previous win in a European Championship semi-final – against Germany in 1988, in the tournament they went on to win.

Watkins' dramatic winner condemned them to a fifth defeat in six appearances at this stage of the competition. Better luck next time?

Harry Kane insisted he must still be flexible for England and will continue to drop deep ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final clash with the Netherlands on Wednesday. 

Kane has been the centre of much criticism during the tournament, having often found himself in midfield to start attacks rather than being a focal point up top.

The England captain has scored twice for Gareth Southgate's side in Germany, netting against Denmark in the group stages and Slovakia in the last 16. 

Having found the back of the net 44 goals in 45 games for Bayern Munich last season, his diminishing influence on the Three Lions' attacking build-up has brought much focus over Kane's performances.

"It's the rhythm of the game," Kane explained at Tuesday's pre-match press conference. "Maybe Jude [Bellingham], or Phil [Foden] might end up in the middle and I might drift out to the left.

"As a striker, you want to try to give as much space as possible to your midfielders and your number 10s and then there are times when you want to drag defenders out into spaces they might want to come to.

"There will be times tomorrow when I need to be more of a focal point and be in the box more and there will be times when I'll drop deep and try to make it uncomfortable for defenders."

Kane had five touches in Switzerland's box before Saturday's penalty shoot-out win in Dusseldorf, a tally bettered by Bukayo Saka (eight) and Jude Bellingham (10). 

The 30-year-old also registered two shots during the encounter with Murat Yakin's side, none of which were on target.

Nevertheless, Kane is preparing for his third semi-final with England, having helped Southgate's side reach the same stage during the 2018 World Cup before going further to reach the Euro 2020 final.

The Bayern striker has captained his nation throughout their most sustained period of success without reward, but is confident that past experiences will aid the Three Lions to achieve a first international trophy in 58 years.  

"I think you just use the past experiences to help you," he said. "We've got a lot of players who have experienced big games at the international level and big games at club level and we'll use all that experience.

"Over the course of your career, you learn how to prepare in the best way possible and to control the nerves and the excitement.

"During the game, you need the experienced players, you lean on the leaders in the team who have been there and done that to help the players who haven't but, ultimately, it's about going out there and taking the opportunity with both hands.

"We have the chance to reach back-to-back finals in the European Championship, which would be an amazing achievement, and we have the opportunity to do that."

Harry Kane's England team-mates have backed their captain to regain his top form in their semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Kane has scored twice at the tournament so far, with one of those a vital winner in the first minute of extra time against Slovakia, but has otherwise failed to show a clinical edge.

He managed just two shots against Switzerland in the quarter-finals before being forced off in extra time, managing an expected goals of just 0.12.

Kane's performances have drawn criticism, with some calling for him to be dropped for their game against the Netherlands.

However, Trent Alexander-Arnold brushed off the idea, claiming that would play into their opponents' hands.

"Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing," the defender told reporters.

"You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you need to be on red alert.

"He can finish it from every angle. I always say he is the best finisher I've seen or played with. He can drop down and build play up and his hold-up play is incredible too."

England are playing in their third major tournament semi-final under Gareth Southgate, with Kane scoring the winning goal to take them to the final of the Euros three years ago.

The striker has also scored the joint-most knockout stage goals in the competition's history, five, along with Antoine Griezmann.

And after finishing as the top-scorer in the Bundesliga last season, Phil Foden has full confidence Kane will regain his goalscoring touch.

"You can't really doubt him," he told Standard Sport. "He's been unbelievable for us in so many tournaments, and he's already scored a crucial goal in this tournament.

"Hopefully, he can prove a lot of people wrong and do what he does best: put the ball into the back of the net. We're all behind him, we all believe in him.

"The way teams have been playing, there's been a low block and the spaces are tight, so it's difficult for him to find space.

"I've seen that with Erling [Haaland] at club level. Sometimes it's nearly impossible for him to score because they've got two players man-marking him.

"Kane's a leader, he does a lot of work off the ball that people don't see. He's a valuable player and if we're going to win it, we're definitely going to need him."

England have staggered and stuttered their way through Euro 2024, but they are nevertheless in another semi-final.

For the third time at a major tournament under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions are in the last four – the only competition in which they have failed to reach that stage since the start of the 2018 World Cup was in Qatar in 2022.

Standing between them and successive European Championship finals are the Netherlands.

Ronald Koeman's team were unconvincing in the group stage but, unlike their opponents in Dortmund on Wednesday, have clicked into gear in the knockouts.

Whereas England required extra time – and a Jude Bellingham stunner – to break Slovakian hearts, and then stayed perfect from the spot and relied on a save from Jordan Pickford to beat Switzerland on penalties, the Oranje overcame Romania 3-0 and Turkiye 2-1, both inside 90 minutes.

But what does the data suggest ahead of the second Euros semi-final, with a place in the Berlin showpiece, against either France or Spain, on the line?

What's expected?

England have been clear favourites, according to the Opta supercomputer, for every match they have played at Euro 2024 so far. But that is not the case for this tie.

The model gives England a 37.8% chance of victory, just marginally more than the Netherlands' 31.6%; the draw threat (so, the likelihood of extra time and a penalty shoot-out) is coming in at a relatively large 30.6%.

That's not particularly surprising considering England have gone to extra time in both of their knockout ties so far.

Only Portugal at Euro 2016, Spain at Euro 2020, and Italy at Euro 2020 have ever gone to extra time three times in a single edition of the finals.

This is the fourth meeting between England and the Netherlands at a major tournament; the Oranje won 3-1 at Euro 1988 (thanks to a Marco van Basten hat-trick), followed by a goalless draw at the 1990 World Cup, and a 4-1 England win at Euro 1996.

Of all the nations England have faced 20+ times in their history, only against Brazil (15%) do they have a lower win rate than they do against the Netherlands (27% – six wins, nine draws, seven defeats).

In fact, England have won just one of their last nine meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions (four draws, four losses), winning a friendly 1-0 in Amsterdam in March 2018.

Back-to-back?

While Southgate has come under criticism for the level of performances in Germany, his major tournament record is hard to argue with.

England went 22 years between 1996 and 2018 without reaching a semi-final. Since the start of that tournament in Russia, England have reached the stage three times.

Indeed, having gone 65 years without reaching a final, England are now on the brink of back-to-back appearances in a major tournament's biggest event.

This is England's fourth appearance in the semi-final of the European Championships; having been eliminated in the first two in 1968 (vs Yugoslavia) and 1996 (vs Germany), the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020 after beating Denmark 2-1, only to lose on penalties to Italy at Wembley.

Bukayo Saka cast aside the demons of that final shoot-out with his composed effort from 12 yards against the Swiss, and it was his superb strike that forced extra time in the first place.

There have been five occasions of a team reaching the final of consecutive editions of the Euros; USSR (1960/1964), Germany (three times, 1972/1976, 1976/1980, 1992/1996) and Spain (2008/2012).

Change the record

For the Dutch, it will be a sixth semi-final at the Euros. They have lost their last four, with the one they won coming in 1988 – they went on to win that tournament, with Van Basten scoring one of the most famous goals in the competition's history in the final, which took place in Munich.

This is the Netherlands' first Euros semi-final since 2004. On that occasion, they lost 2-1 to host nation Portugal.

The Netherlands have won two different matches having conceded the first goal at Euro 2024, beating Poland 2-1 in the group stage and Turkiye by the same scoreline in the quarter-final.

Only Czechia, at Euro 2004, have ever won three games having conceded first at a single edition of the tournament, but it does show England – who have proved comeback specialists themselves in the knockouts – must be wary.

The Netherlands have scored nine goals across their five games at Euro 2024, while their 8.12 expected goals (xG) ranks them fourth in the competition.

England, on the other hand, have mustered just 4.36 xG, scoring five times. The Oranje also average more touches in the opposition box than the Three Lions (29.8 per game compared to 25.6).

Defensively, both of these teams have been tight, conceding just seven goals between them, but if the Dutch are to change the record when it comes to their Euros runs in the modern era, this is as good a chance as any.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Netherlands – Memphis Depay

In Depay (17 shots, 10 chances created) and Cody Gakpo (13 shots, 11 chances created), the Netherlands are the only side with more than one player to have both 10+ shots and 10+ chances created at Euro 2024.

Indeed, one or both of Depay and/or Gakpo have been directly involved in 47 of the Netherlands' 74 shots at these Euros (63.5%), and six of their nine goals (66.7%).

While Gakpo has been their primary goalscorer, and has a shot at the Golden Boot, Depay has that magical touch when he's on his best form, and displayed his quality with an excellent delivery for Stefan de Vrij's equaliser against Turkiye.

England – Harry Kane 

Coming into the semi-finals, no player has scored more knockout stage goals in the competition’s history than Harry Kane (five, level with Antoine Griezmann).

Kane scored in the semi-final of Euro 2020 against Denmark; only two players have ever scored at this stage of consecutive European Championships – Viktor Ponedelnik and Valentin Ivanov, both for USSR in 1960/1964.

That being said, despite scoring twice in Germany so far, Kane has largely cut a frustrated figure, and has managed just 23 touches in the opponent's box throughout the tournament.

Saturday's Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Switzerland was a memorable one for England fans, as the Three Lions enjoyed a rare penalty shoot-out success to reach the last four.

For the second successive match in Germany, England were staring at a humiliating exit. After Jude Bellingham took centre-stage against Slovakia, it was Bukayo Saka's turn to produce a rescue act.

Without Saka's heroics, Gareth Southgate's reign as England manager would surely have ended after exactly 100 games.

As it is, he'll be hoping he has at least two more to savour.

Southgate has always had his critics, but three semi-final appearances in four major tournaments under him – one more than England managed in their previous 17 – marks him out as his country's most successful manager in modern times.

As Southgate celebrates another huge win on a landmark occasion, we run through the highs and lows of his tenure.

Southgate's record

Southgate is just the third England boss to bring up three figures, after Walter Winterbottom (139 games between 1946 and 1962) and World Cup winner Alf Ramsey (133 between 1963 and 1974).

England have won 60 matches under him, drawing 24 and losing 16. His 60% win ratio puts him fifth among all Three Lions managers, after Sam Allardyce, who memorably won his only game in charge, Fabio Capello (66.7%), Ramsey (61.1%) and Glenn Hoddle (60.7%).

Saturday's shoot-out success was his 24th major tournament match at the helm. His 13 wins in such games are the most by any England manager in history, while only Ramsey (66.7%) has bettered his 54.2% win rate in World Cup/Euros matches. 

The most common criticism of Southgate relates to his safety-first approach, but only Winterbottom (383) and Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals than his 210. The Three Lions' average of 2.1 goals per game under him tops their average of 1.98 under Ramsey. 

The highs

Southgate's first tournament at the helm will always be remembered fondly, as his unfancied side went within a whisker of reaching the 2018 World Cup final, two years on from the nadir of Roy Hodgson's team losing to Iceland at Euro 2016. 

With Harry Kane winning the Golden Boot and Harry Maguire providing a threat from set-pieces, England made supporters fall back in love with the national team as they reached the semi-finals, ultimately surrendering a 1-0 lead in an extra-time loss to a superior Croatia side.

The standout moment surely came in the last 16 as Colombia were beaten on penalties – England's first victory in a World Cup shoot-out and just their second in seven attempts at major tournaments at the time.

Coming after a 1-1 draw with stubborn opponents with the knockout draw opening up, Saturday's victory over Switzerland shared many similarities with the Colombia win.

Southgate has now overseen three shoot-out victories, with Switzerland also vanquished in 2019 as the Three Lions took bronze in the inaugural edition of the Nations League.

And while England's only penalty defeat under Southgate came in his biggest game in charge, their run to the Euro 2020 final was another high before heartbreak against Italy.

Most memorable of all was a 2-0 victory over Germany in the last 16, England's first competitive win over them at Wembley Stadium since the 1966 World Cup final. The semi-final versus Denmark, meanwhile, brought Southgate's only major tournament win to date over a top-10 nation in FIFA's world rankings.

The lows 

The Euro 2020 final was, of course, a case of what might have been for England and Southgate. Luke Shaw's early volley sent Wembley into hysterics, but the Three Lions dropped deeper and deeper, inviting Leonardo Bonucci's equaliser and going on to suffer penalty heartache.

Southgate was fiercely criticised for losing control of the final, with England's 34.4% possession share their lowest at Wembley since a 2016 draw with Spain (34.3%).

Either side of that final, England went unbeaten in 90 minutes through 22 matches, but they then endured a dismal run midway through 2022, failing to win any of their six games in the 2022-23 edition of the Nations League as they were relegated from the top tier.

The low point of Southgate's reign came in a crushing 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux that June, where supporters turned on the England boss for the first time after the team's heaviest defeat under him.

England recovered to impress in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but more penalty agony awaited them in the quarter-finals, albeit not in a shoot-out.

With England 2-1 down but in the ascendency against France, captain Kane blazed a late spot-kick over the crossbar, becoming the first player to both score and miss a penalty in a World Cup match since Czechoslovakia's Michal Bilek versus the United States in 1990.

With many believing this tournament will be Southgate's last regardless of the outcome, he will hope the true high point of his tenure is yet to come.

The players

Although many players have won Southgate's trust during his eight years at the helm, one man stands clear of the rest.

Kane has been Southgate's most trusted lieutenant, his 79 appearances under him (69 as captain) putting him clear of Kyle Walker (68), John Stones and Jordan Pickford (both 66).

The striker's 60 England goals under Southgate, meanwhile, are more than treble the figure managed by his closest rival, Raheem Sterling with 18. Kane (16) also leads Sterling (13) for the most assists under Southgate.

No Three Lions player has ever scored more goals for the team under a particular manager, with Gary Lineker's 35 strikes for Bobby Robson putting him a distant second.

Only three players have won more England caps under one manager, with Billy Wright playing under Winterbottom 105 times, Bobby Moore appearing in 100 games for Ramsey, and Peter Shilton 83 for Robson.

Gareth Southgate insists Euro 2024 is not just about England "playing well" as the Three Lions manager lauded the character shown in their penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland in the last eight.

England were once again unconvincing in Dusseldorf and fell behind to Breel Embolo's 75th-minute opener, only for Bukayo Saka to level shortly after on Saturday.

Penalties followed at Dusseldorf Arena as Jordan Pickford denied Switzerland's first spot-kick from Manuel Akanji, before Trent Alexander-Arnold coolly slotted in the winning effort to seal a last-four place.

Since Euro 1996, England have played 11 knockout matches at the European Championship and eight of those have gone to extra-time, including the last four in a row.

That may be apportioned to their battling nature, an aspect manager Southgate referenced after a nervy victory in his 100th national game in charge of the senior side.

"I thought the players were brilliant, it is the best we have played," Southgate said on BBC One. "To come from behind and show character and resilience we did... it isn't just about playing well.

"Huge performance, huge result and we are still in it. We had to be tactically spot on. We are in a third semi-final and it says a lot about the whole group. I thought we had good control."

England had lost more shoot-outs than any other nation across the World Cup and Euros (seven), but responded emphatically by converting all five attempts at this edition of UEFA's top tournament.

Saka knows all too well about spot-kick heartbreak, having missed in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, and Southgate lauded his response after firing past Yann Sommer in the shoot-out.

"It was so brave from Bukayo, he is one of our best and we were never in question he would take one. But we all knew what he went through," Southgate continued.

England scored every single one of their penalties in the shoot-out (5/5), also doing so against Spain at Euro 1996 (4/4), for just the second time in their 10th penalty shoot-out at major tournaments.

"We have done a lot of work on it. We've won three out of four shootouts now," Southgate added, in quotes published by UEFA's official website.

"In the end the players have to do it and deliver. For players to come into the game and do what they did, for someone like Bukayo having been what he's been through to go through that pressure [is great]."

Harry Kane endured another quiet outing, failing to register a shot on target before being removed in extra time, though the England captain has faith in whoever Southgate selects.

"Another tough game and first of all great resilience from the lads to turn it up again," Kane told BBC One. 

"To get the goal, a fantastic finish from Bukayo Saka. Penalties are penalties, but I felt prepared – I was on the side, but I felt comfortable in the lads. Five out of five and a save from Picks!

"We trust in whoever is on the pitch and the difference this year compared to past years is we have proven penalty takers – we have a lot more experience and we showed it out there."

John Stones insists that England's comeback victory over Slovakia "will be used as fuel" ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday. 

England came to within a minute of being eliminated from Euro 2024 before Jude Bellingham's overhead kick spared Gareth Southgate's blushes. 

The Three Lions confirmed their place in the last eight through Harry Kane's 65th international goal in extra-time. 

Having come so close to going home, Manchester City defender Stones believes his team-mates can take confidence from the win ahead of their encounter in Dusseldorf.

"We need to keep progressing and playing the fluid football that we are used to," Stones said. 

"I don't want to discredit the other night, I thought we were going home up to 60 minutes into the game.

"To change the mindset and for us all to keep the belief it has a lot of power behind it - for ourselves and other teams.

"Everyone at home knows we are there to do it until the last minute and we should take great confidence from that as it's not easy to do in a high-pressured game.

"We use that as fuel, that extra mile and make it count and we did that."

It has been suggested that England will revert to a back three to accommodate Guehi's absence. 

Ezri Konsa has been tipped to be given the nod to come into the side, with Stones backing the Aston Villa defender to be ready to face Switzerland, should he be selected.

"If he's selected yeah [he is ready], I don't think any of us know the exact team or system yet. Whoever plays in whatever position or partnerships, whatever you want to call it, is fully ready.

"The standards that I've seen in training from every player has been incredible. Whoever steps in is worthy of being there and hopefully we will produce.

"In the World Cup we had a run that we felt we could win and that didn't happen, we have to use the situations and learning curve to our advantage now.

"We've got a good opportunity to get further this weekend.

"I'm a big believer we've been in these positions before and realise were we are, the magnitude of things and what we believe we can do and put it into practice."

Gareth Southgate expects a tough encounter against Switzerland but knows England must be better to secure progression to the semi-finals of Euro 2024. 

Southgate will celebrate his 100th game in charge of the Three Lions in Dusseldorf, hopeful of marking the milestone with not only a win, but an improved performance. 

Southgate may not have overseen his landmark fixture if it wasn't for Jude Bellingham's late intervention to send the game to extra-time against Slovakia. 

Bellingham scored England's latest ever goal in normal time at a major tournament in some style, turning home Marc Guehi's header with a stunning bicycle kick. 

Harry Kane headed England over the line just 50 seconds into extra-time, reaching a tournament quarter-final for a fourth time under Southgate's stewardship.

"I can imagine how everybody's going to react to that even though we've won, but we're still in there," Southgate said.

"We want to be better, I'm not going to hide from that. But the spirit and the character was there for everybody to see."

Switzerland, however, have been one of the standout sides at the tournament thus far, knocking out Euro 2020 winners Italy in the quarter-finals. 

Despite England's favourable record against the Swiss, Southgate insists his side will face a different challenge in Dusseldorf. 

"I think the game against the Swiss will throw completely different tactical problems, just as difficult, just as complex," Southgate said. "A different solution to solve."

For Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin, he is confident of causing an upset to set up a clash with the Netherlands or Turkiye in the semi-finals. 

A key feature of Switzerland's style of play has been their intensity in the press, something Yakin believes can disrupt England. 

"When we put on our pressing, we won't let them play. That's our job," Yakin said. 

"We played well against Germany, we played well against Italy, so why shouldn't we beat England?

"We're in a good mood now. Let's see, it's a good challenge and my team is ready to have this big fight against England."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

England - Kieran Trippier

Much has been made of Kieran Trippier's poor performances at Euro 2024 so far, but he has proven to be a reliable attacking outlet for Southgate through the years.

The Three Lions are set to revert to a back three, a shape that brought them so much success at previous tournaments and could unlock Trippier's attacking potential. 

Tripppier has created more chances (seven) and made more line-breaking passes behind the defensive line (six) than any other England player at the tournament so far. 

Switzerland - Granit Xhaka

A familiar face to many within the England camp, Granit Xhaka will be given the task of halting the influence of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. 

But the former Arsenal midfielder has added an extra element to his game, often offering a threat in the more advanced areas for Switzerland. 

Xhaka has created more chances (eight), completed more passes (254) and made more line-breaking passes (51) than any other Switzerland player so far at Euro 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: ENGLAND WIN

Despite the nature of their victory over Slovakia, England are still predicted as favourites to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024, winning 44.9% of pre-match simulations in Opta's data-led predictions.

The Three Lions have lost just one of their last 24 meetings with Switzerland in all competitions (17 wins, six draws), and are unbeaten in 13 (nine wins, four draws), which perhaps contributes to their favourable win probability. 

This will be the fourth meeting between England and Switzerland at a major tournament, their third at the European Championships (two wins, one draw previously). 

However, Switzerland have built new-found belief at these European Championships and will have confidence of causing an upset. 

Yakin's side have lost just one of their last 14 in the competition (five wins, eight draws), having endured a run of six losses in eight matches (two draws) at the tournament beforehand. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

England - 44.9%

Draw - 29%

Switzerland - 26%

Ivan Toney remains confident of grasping his England opportunity at Euro 2024 when that arrives, though acknowledged the frustrations over a lack of minutes in Germany.

The Brentford striker came off the bench against Slovakia in the last 16 with a minute of normal time remaining, as Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick forced an additional 30 minutes in Gelsenkirchen.

Toney provided the assist for Harry Kane's winner just 50 seconds into extra time, the fastest such goal in Euros history, with a smart flick-on after Eberechi Eze's scuffed volley.

Yet that was Toney's first appearance at the competition, and a maiden outing of his career at a major tournament, with Gareth Southgate admitting the forward was "disgusted" with the late introduction.

"It's always going to be tough," Toney said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, three days before England meet Switzerland in the last eight.

"It's tough for all of us as we play week in, week out for our clubs. I have been in this position before and when I get an opportunity I'll take it."

Toney, indeed, took his opportunity against Slovakia, managing 22 touches in just 30 minutes, only six fewer than team-mate Kane, who played 105.

Having enjoyed a prolonged spell as Thomas Frank's first-choice striking option at Premier League side Brentford, Toney admits he is still getting to grips with playing a supporting role to Kane.

"At my club, there is a guy called Michael Caufield [a sports psychologist] and he talks about controlling your emotions," the 28-year-old added.

"Yes, I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes of football to play [including extra time] and you have got to come out of that mood and focus.

"I feel like, people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there's more than 11 players needed to win a tournament."

Southgate and Toney smoothed the relationship "by winning", the current England international joked in front of the media.

The England manager may still need to call upon Toney on Saturday, however, if penalties are required to settle an enticing last-eight meeting with Switzerland.

"If I score, I score. If I miss, I miss," he said. "You have to step up and you have to have the courage to take a penalty. For those who racially abused a player for missing a penalty, more fool them."

It was another dramatic day in the Euro 2024 knockout rounds, as two more teams booked their places in the quarter-finals.

England fought back from the jaws of defeat as they secured an extra-time win over Slovakia to set up a meeting with Switzerland in the last eight.

Meanwhile, Spain broke Georgia hearts with their comeback victory, and will play Germany in an eye-catching last-eight tie.

Here, we round up the best Opta statistics from the second day of the last 16.

England 2-1 Slovakia (aet): Bellingham, Kane prove late heroes

It looked like England were going to make an embarrassing early exit from the tournament, until Jude Bellingham stepped up with a spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time before Harry Kane netted the winner.

Timed at 94 minutes and 34 seconds, Bellingham's goal was the latest ever for England in normal time at the Euros, coming from the Three Lions' first shot on target after a largely toothless performance.

Kane, on his record-breaking 79th competitive appearance for England, got the timing right too, heading home just 50 seconds into extra time for the fastest goal scored in that period in the competition's history.

The England captain has now scored 14 goals at major tournaments (World Cup and Euros), with only four European players netting more than him – Cristiano Ronaldo (22), Miroslav Klose (19), Gerd Muller (18) and Jurgen Klinsmann (16).

It marked the fourth game that England have won from a losing position at the European Championships as well, after losing their first six such matches.

Only France (five) have ever won more matches when conceding first in the competition, and that late, late show left Slovakia stunned after being just moments from a famous victory in Gelsenkirchen.

Ivan Schranz's third goal at this Euros seemed set to take the headlines, with only Robert Vittek (four) at the 2010 World Cup ever scoring more at a single major tournament for Slovakia, but the forward will not get a chance to equal that record.

Spain 4-1 Georgia: La Roja march on with comeback win

Spain are the only team in the tournament to win all of their games so far, and survived an early scare to come out on top in Cologne thanks to second-half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo.

Robin Le Normand's 18th-minute own goal saw Luis de la Fuente's side concede for the first time at Euro 2024, only for Spain to rally to the biggest margin of victory by a team that conceded first in the competition.

Spain amassed 17 shots on goal in the first half but only Rodri's first major tournament goal hit the net. It is the most on record (since 1980) by a team in the opening half of a European Championship knockout game.

Indeed, La Roja's 35 shots overall were their most in a single match at either the World Cup (since 1966) or the Euros.

It was the youngsters who stole the spotlight once more as Lamine Yamal got his second assist at the Euros, with Cristiano Ronaldo the last teenager to tee up multiple goals at a single edition (Euro 2004 when he helped Portugal reach the final).

Williams, meanwhile, became the first player on record at the European Championships (since 1980) to score a goal, assist another and complete 100% of his passes (46/46) in a game he started.

Georgia's fairytale was ended by a familiar, formidable foe as they have now lost all seven of their competitive meetings with Spain, conceding 23 goals and netting just four of their own.

Gareth Southgate hit back at his critics as the England manager said Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane's telling contributions against Slovakia were why he avoids making changes.

Bellingham produced a stunning acrobatic leveller after 94 minutes to keep England's Euro 2024 hopes alive on Sunday.

Captain Kane then headed home just 50 seconds into extra time as England edged into a last-eight meeting with Switzerland after a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.

Some had criticised Southgate for not rolling the changes earlier in the second half, though the England manager says the pair's late heroics prove the decision justified.

"With 15 minutes to go you wonder if he is out on his feet," Southgate said of Bellingham when speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live. 

"Him and Harry Kane produce those moments and that is why you don't make changes when people are clamouring for more changes. We had enough attacking players on the pitch."

Bellingham's equaliser marked England's latest goal in European Championship history, with his overhead kick timed at 94 minutes and 34 seconds.

England had been woeful up to that point, failing to register a single shot on target after Ivan Schranz's first-half opener.

Yet Southgate believes the tide always seemed set to change after Phil Foden's second-half finish was ruled out for offside and Declan Rice was denied by the woodwork late on.

"I had a funny feeling the game wasn't dead and I know that sounds ridiculous," the former England international added. "We were pushing and probing.

"Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal [Bellingham's equaliser]."

Kane scored his 14th goal at major tournaments for England with his well-taken headed finish, with only four European players ever managing more in history.

"He is an extraordinary goal scorer, he is leading the team so well," Southgate said of his talisman. "He has been exceptional as a captain keeping the ship steady.

"He has been through it before and nights like tonight are which the younger ones will refer back to as that is what happens in tournaments."

A meeting with Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Dusseldorf on Saturday will mark Southgate's 100th match in charge of his country, though he says England have not achieved anything yet.

"That's neither here nor there," Southgate responded when asked about the landmark. "We haven't come to get to a quarter-final but to get through a night like tonight was fantastic character and we now play a Swiss team that have been very good.

"We have a couple of days to recover and get ready for them."