England beat Germany as Sterling and Kane send them to Euro 2020 last eight
For England, it was always going to be about finding the moment, the one to blow apart a tight game, to cut through so much negative tournament history – particularly at the hands of Germany. And for long spells, as the tension rose to near unbearable levels at a raucous and emotional Wembley, the home crowd wondered whether it would come.
Gareth Southgate had reverted to a 3-4-3, ignoring the clamor for greater fantasy and more creative players. It was the England manager sticking bravely to his principles, seeking security, the platform for the moment, and a part of the equation was patience, which was not in abundant supply inside the stadium.
Germany had shown their quality in the first half, particularly early on, yet England came to match them physically and tactically. The longer the second half wore on, the greater the assurance of those in white shirts. Could they find the incision, the note of clarity?
Southgate had called for a hero, somebody to score a goal that will live for ever, and with 15 minutes to go he found one. Yet again, it was Raheem Sterling. After his match-winners in the group stage against Croatia and the Czech Republic, Sterling bristled with confidence and hard running. The qualities were stamped all over the goal that ignited English dreams.
Southgate had introduced Jack Grealish from the bench and the midfielder was involved in the move, taking a pass from Harry Kane and ushering in the overlapping Luke Shaw on the left. But it was Sterling who started the move and it was he who finished it, driving into the box to guide home Shaw’s low delivery. Sterling has scored 15 times in his past 20 England appearances.
The abiding image of the occasion from a German point of view would come shortly after. It was of Thomas Müller, his face contorted in despair. It was always going to be about moments and Germany’s came on 81 minutes when the veteran was sent clean through by Kai Havertz.
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