Southgate full of pride on historic night for Three Lions

Gareth Southgate believes guiding England's men to their first ever major tournament final on foreign shores is his finest achievement as Three Lions boss.

Southgate's side had to fight from behind, beating the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to Harry Kane's equaliser and Ollie Watkins' dramatic winner as the clock struck 90.

And the boss did not hold back in his praise of the players.

He said: "It has to be the best [achievement]. It's another landmark but we played so well throughout the game.

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"It was a complicated game. They kept changing, we had to keep changing how we were defensively especially, but I thought we caused them problems all night. And the end is so special for the squad, again.

"We also had Phil's [Foden] shot that was cleared off the line, the disallowed goal is inches again, so look, I think we deserve the win tonight."

Southgate's second-half introduction of Watkins for Kane paid dividends, with the Aston Villa man scoring his first ever major tournament goal at the perfect time.

The manager said: "We felt energy-wise we were starting to lose a bit of pressure. Harry got that knock in the first half as well. And of course Ollie can press well, he can make those little runs in behind that he did.

"We thought it was a good moment to try it.

"It was also as well as Phil has ever played in an England shirt. He had a huge, huge influence on the game. We were very fluid in the formation. It wasn't just a back three. The players made so many good decisions on the pitch.

"And a word for the fans. Looking at the numbers it seemed like we were playing away but that wasn't the case with the noise, that's for sure."