When England coach Southgate missed penalty shootout in Euro '96
Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane
Gareth Southgate made the players to practise multiple times for shootout to take the burden of English history off their back
England coach Gareth Southgate may have helped Harry Kane's team beat Colombia in the World Cup second round, but the former Englandmidfielderhad himself missed a crucialpenalty shootout22 years ago against Germany in the European Cup semi-final at Wembley stadium.
"It was a night when I just knew we were going to get over the line," the coach told reporters after England recovered from a 94th-minute equaliser by Colombia to win the shootout to book a quarterfinal berthagainst Sweden.
"We had the resilience and belief to get over the line," he said, praising the composure and discipline of his side in the face of rough treatment and a raucous Colombian crowd in Moscow.
Southgate made every possibility this year to get over "burden"of English history off their back and disappointment among fans who have bitter memories of shootout debacles in the 90s.
"We've talked to the players about them writing their own stories and tonight was the classic, they don't have to conform to what's gone," he said. "It was a special night," he added.
"They've really bought into everything we've tried to do," the England coach said.
Determined to avoid the horrors of final penalty shootout miss in a Euro 96 semi-final at Wembley against Germany, which helped Germany enter the finals and finally win the tournament, he and his staff forced England's players to practice the penalty routine multiple times.
England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was briefed on every Colombian penalty-taker. And every England player knew the order they would shoot in.
"I had real faith in the goalkeeper and real faith in the penalty takers," he said. "I knew the messages I wanted to give. We knew it was our process to own. We had total trust in their techniques."
But for the 47-year-old, who made 57 appearances for England, the memory of his own shootout failure remains vivid.
Watch the Video as 25-year-old Southgate missed the shootout against Germany who eventually won the European tournament.
"It will never be off my back, sadly," Southgate said. "That's something that will live with me forever."
"But today is a special moment for this team and hopefully will give belief to new generations of players that follow."
"In life, we always have to believe in what is possible and not be hindered by history or expectations. I think these young players are showing that, and they are enjoying the tournament."
(With inputs from Reuters)