Gareth Southgate left stunned by reporter’s question in England press conference before ‘madness’ response

Southgate was left stunned by the question.

Gareth Southgate was left stunned by one question a reporter asked him after England made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

On Saturday England banished their shootout demons by beating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to book a place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate’s side once again failed to impress, and only seemed to start playing with any great intensity once they fell behind in the 75th minute.

The excellent Bukayo Saka drew England level five minutes later, before the Three Lions retreated within themselves and hung on for penalties.

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted from 12 yards while Jordan Pickford saved Switzerland’s first attempt.

England have now reached the semi-finals in three of their last four major tournaments, an achievement that should not be underestimated despite their poor performances in Germany.

At Euro 2024 England just about managed to top their group by beating Serbia and drawing with Denmark and Slovenia, before beating Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time in the round-of-16.

When asked by a German journalist post-match if England have benefited from an easy run to the semi-final, Southgate was visibly stunned.

“Look, the teams we’ve played are because we won our group,” Southgate replied after the match.

“If you go back through history, England had different routes to the final because we didn’t win our group.

“I understand of course, you’d rather not have to jump the Grand National to win the tournament.

“Most teams, when you have back-to-back games, two, three, four games against big nations the margins are so fine and then those games end up quite even – you win one, you lose one, so it’s very tough to go through those processes.

“I’m not really sure what to say, it’s the madness of this job, but it’s been an enjoyable night and I will try to keep it that way.”

At Euro 2020, England topped their group ahead of Croatia, Czechia and Scotland, before beating Germany, Ukraine and Denmark on their way to the final.

England will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Wednesday. The winner will face either Spain or France in the final on Sunday, July 14.