For Gareth Southgate, it had to be penalties. The England manager’s shot at personal redemption demanded nothing else. Back at the scene of his worst moment, the one he had carried for so many years – the decisive penalty shootout miss against Germany at the Euro 96 semi-finals – the symmetry was too strong.
The 120 minutes had been nerve-shredding, England enjoying early elation when Luke Shaw scored his first ever international goal, a magnificent half-volley with the game’s first move. And then came what felt like the slow and inexorable trudge towards defeat.
Continue reading…
