Thoughtful Southgate managed the climbdown from Wembley hysteria wonderfully

This was the performance that underlines England have the manager, the squad and the temperament to go all the way

England manager Gareth Southgate applauds the fans after the UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter Final match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire 

If anyone was in any doubt that England are serious contenders to win Euro 2020 then this was the performance that underlines they have the manager, the squad and the temperament to do it.

Playing in Rome in front of ex-pats was a huge contrast to the scenes at Wembley last week when Germany were vanquished, but a comprehensive, stress-free 4-0 victory over Ukraine matters just as much — and could deliver even more for the future of English football.