Gareth happy to play 'party pooper'

England manager Gareth Southgate celebrated victory over Germany at UEFA EURO 2020 – but quickly turned “party pooper” as he set his sights on Saturday’s quarter-final.

Southgate watched on as Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to play at Wembley Stadium, before captain Harry Kane wrapped things up late on.

“I thought it was a brilliant afternoon,” said the gaffer. “We've talked about bringing enjoyment to the nation and this afternoon was what that's all about. 

“The players were absolutely immense, right the way through the team, and the fans were as well. There were only 40,000 but it was as good an atmosphere as I can remember at Wembley. 

“But I was the party pooper in the dressing room – I just said that it means nothing if we don't capitalise on Saturday now. We've given people another day to remember, and now we've got to do it in Rome.” 

Let's hear what #ThreeLions boss Gareth Southgate made of his side's victory over Germany: https://t.co/1GzGRW2i20

— England (@England) June 29, 2021

Southgate was full of praise for his goalscorers, with Sterling notching his third of the competition while Kane opened his account for the tournament:  "I was pleased for both of them because they both have to prove people wrong all the time. 

“Raheem has been immense for us over a three or four-year period. He knows he has our trust and his performances have been electric. 

“It was a really important moment for Harry, I think. It doesn't matter what else you're doing in the game as a forward, you need those goals so I was pleased to see the second one go in, I have to say.”