MX23RW : Saturday, May 6 20:32:29| >> :600:545954:545954:

What does the future hold for England after Euro 2020 heartbreak?

What does the future hold for England after Euro 2020 heartbreak?
© Reuters
There are less than 18 months until the World Cup in the Middle East.

England suffered heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final as they lost on penalties against Italy at Wembley.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what the future could hold for the Three Lions.

What can this squad achieve?

England v Denmark – UEFA Euro 2020 – Semi Final – Wembley Stadium
England have a young core of players to give them a platform (Mike Egerton/PA)

Despite losing in the Wembley showpiece and failing to end their 55-year wait for a trophy, England confirmed their status as one of the top teams in Europe.

What they have done is a success in itself, breaking records and mental blocks along the way, and the core for the next few years is already set, with a clear path for a young and vibrant squad that has plenty of time to develop further.

The injured Mason Greenwood and Trent Alexander-Arnold were absent from Euro 2020 entirely while Jadon Sancho, Reece James, Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham barely got any game time during the tournament. The depth England now have is frightening.

Will Gareth Southgate get the credit he deserves?

England v Denmark – UEFA Euro 2020 – Semi Final – Wembley Stadium
England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates reaching the final with the fans. (Nick Potts/PA)

Southgate's decision-making got questioned from the moment he picked his squad back in May. But he got the majority of decisions right as he won the tactical battles against Croatia, Germany, Ukraine and Denmark. Questions will be asked of his decision to give Bukayo Saka the fifth penalty in the final shoot-out, but it was a rational decision based on evidence he gathered in training.

While people may question his tactical decisions at times, the way he has united a country during a fractured period, providing honest and compassionate leadership is beyond reproach.

No manager is ever untouchable, but the Three Lions boss has won the hearts of the nation and looks set to lead his country to Qatar and beyond.

Can England repeat the trick in Qatar?

Croatia v England – FIFA World Cup 2018 – Semi Final – Luzhniki Stadium
England lost to Croatia in the World Cup semi-final in 2018 (Adam Davy/PA)

There are less than 18 months until the World Cup in the Middle East. England's run to the final has put them firmly in the favourites category to lift the trophy in 2022.

It will be a harder task, with the South American countries in the mix, but as Russia 2018 proved England have the staying power at the World Cup.

What will be the legacy?

The development and nurturing of a young squad has not just happened overnight.

Southgate toured the country 10 years ago when he was the FA's head of elite development with Nick Levett, then national development manager for youth and mini-soccer, as part of a grass roots review.

Seeds have been sown and the rewards have begun to show over the last few years, and Euro 2020 success will only see England blossom further.

ID:455014: cacheID:455014:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9074:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Bukayo Saka looks dejected after missing a penalty against Italy in the Euro 2020 final on July 11, 2021
Read Next:
The numbers behind England's penalty-takers
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City34264489315882
2Arsenal34246481394278
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331811461273465
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd3319684940963
5Liverpool35188967422562
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs35176126457757
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32167962402255
8Aston Villa35166134643354
9Brentford35121495245750
10Fulham34136154546-145
11Chelsea34119143439-542
12Crystal Palace351010153546-1140
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35117173050-2040
14Bournemouth35116183767-3039
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham3497183750-1334
16Leicester CityLeicester3486204659-1330
17Leeds UnitedLeeds3579194469-2530
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479183062-3230
19Everton34611172752-2529
20Southampton3466222860-3224

Ted Lasso creative

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!