The more rabbits England pull out of the hat, the more it feels as if this is their time. They survived more jeopardy during this absorbing semi-final triumph over a decent but hardly awe-inspiring Netherlands, and there were moments when the game seemed to be slipping away from them. With Ronald Koeman adjusting his tactics midway through the first half and the Dutch pushing as extra time beckoned, the fear was that this was going to be another night of questions about Gareth Southgate’s touchline decisions.
But there is something magical about a team that can keep taking blows but somehow find ways to clamber off the canvas. For here, after the wonder of Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia and the nerveless penalty shootout against Switzerland, was a moment that will go stand the test of time – and, thanks to Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, will forever serve as the perfect riposte to those who have pinned the blame for every disappointment on on Southgate’s in-game management.
