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Jamie Carragher has branded England ‘extremely lucky’ to have qualified for the semi-finals of Euro 2024, while claiming, if the Three Lions win the tournament, it will be akin to Greece’s Euro victory back in 2004.
Gareth Southgate’s side have come under fire for their performances in Germany, with many questioning the manager’s squad selections and his side’s struggles to create and finish off chances.
But amid their underwhelming form, the Three Lions have still managed to reach the semi-finals of the competition after they beat Switzerland on penalties in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
While England have stepped up when it has mattered most, former Liverpool and England star, Carragher, has claimed that should the Three Lions go on and win Euro 2024, they will not be remembered as one of the great champions of the tournament.
Jamie Carragher believes England have been ‘extremely lucky’ to have qualified for the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Carragher claimed that should England win the Euros, their underwhelming form will be comparable to how Greece won in 2004 or how Portugal won in 2016
Greece won the European Championship scoring only three goals in the knockout stages
‘Some great teams have made their mark on the history of the European Championship. Regardless of whether they deliver the ultimate success from this point on, this England side will not be remembered as one of them,’ Carragher wrote in a column in The Telegraph.
‘When you think of the elite-level winners, France in 2000 or Spain in 2008 and 2012 are still fresh in my memory.
‘If England go all the way, they will not be taking their place in such esteemed company. What we will have witnessed will be comparable to the victories of Greece in 2004 and Portugal in 2016, when a series of underwhelming displays led to improbable success.’
Greece, seemingly bumbled their way through to the finals at Euro 2004, scoring only three goals across all three of their knockout fixtures, beating France 1-0, Czech Republic 1-0 and claiming a 1-0 win against Portugal in the final.
Portugal, meanwhile, would finish third in their group, with Hungary and Iceland qualifying for the last 16 as the top two sides in the group. The Selecao, similar to Greece, would go on to score just four goals in each of their four knockout matches, notably also beating Poland on penalties in the quarter-finals.
‘As was the case with the Portuguese eight years ago, England are defying football logic to still be in the conversation. It is highly unusual for a strong nation to play so consistently poorly in a major tournament and reach the semi-final,’ Carragher added.
Portugal similarly won the tournament in 2016 by playing not the most attractive brand of football
Carragher stated that England needed to find their second gear if they were to be crowned victors
Trent Alexander-Arnold (pictured) netted the decisive penalty on Saturday night to help England defeat Switzerland
‘We can’t escape reality. We cannot dress it up any other way. England have been extremely lucky, first against Slovakia and now Switzerland. They are through to the last four despite performances, rather than because of them.’
Yet, some have lauded Southgate for his epic record as England boss, having transformed England’s fortunes in recent years.
But Southgate leads the way having won more major tournament knockout games, seven, compared to any other England manager since 1966 combined.
Carragher’s Sky Sports colleague, Gary Neville, lumped praise on the Three Lions boss during ITV Football’s live broadcast of Netherlands vs Turkey.
‘Southgate’s record is absolutely brilliant and when you think about where we were before we came in. When you think about the reception he got when he got the job – I have to say He’s the Englishman who knows more about tournament football than anyone in English football history,’ Neville said.
‘He knows about youth tournaments playing in tournaments and managing tournaments. He knows the good the bad and the ugly.
Bukayo Saka (right) scored to send the game to extra-time, before netting again in the penalty shootout
England will now face off against Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after they beat Turkey on Saturday
Gary Neville, meanwhile, lumped praise on Gareth Southgate (pictured) for his work in getting England to the final four of the tournament
‘We’ve challenged him to make changes in every game, he makes one change in every game and he’s proven himself right. He’s got more experience than all of us.’
Southgate, meanwhile, heaped praise on his side’s character and resilience to come up trumps on penalties against Switzerland.
During his post-match press conference, the England boss said: ‘If I can’t enjoy that moment, then the whole thing is a waste of time. I took this job to help. I can’t deny when it’s as personal as it’s been in recent weeks…
‘But we’re still fighting.
‘We showed unbelievable qualities of character and resilience. You have to find ways to win and dealing with everything around them.
‘To twice come from behind and and to have that composure was impeccable.’
