Southgate salutes his side's escape act

Coach praises players for fighting back to draw but issues in attack and at the back leave him with plenty to ponder

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THIS was not at all like the emphatic 5-1 victory England enjoyed the last time they were in Munich, but Gareth Southgate will still have left Germany this morning with a smile on his face.

Until Harry Kane’s late penalty snatched a draw, England were on course for back-to-back defeats, which they have not experienced under Southgate (right, last night) since 2018, and another blank in front of goal following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat in Hungary.

But, after Jonas Hofmann had deservedly put Germany ahead in the 50th minute, England rallied and dug themselves out of a hole. Jack Grealish and Jarrod Bowen, both late substitutes, played pivotal roles in helping the England attack loosen the shackles and express themselves.

The England camp has been bullish this week about how last year’s Euro 2020 victory over Germany has changed the mentality of the squad. Players have described it as a watershed moment. It was the first time England had beaten their great rivals in a knockout game at major tournament for 55 years and the players had spoken about now having the belief they could compete with the best. In the past, there has seemingly been a mental block when facing bigger footballing nations such as Germany, but last night demonstrated how Southgate’s squad have changed their mindset.