England fans left emotional as Gareth Southgate responds to criticism of his management at Euro 2024

Truly a beautiful moment

The Three Lions came from behind yet again last night to advance into their second consecutive Euros final, leaving the nation in raptures.

Ollie Watkins' lethally finished last-gasp winner capped off the most impressive performance we've seen from Southgate's men so far at the tournament.

A late substitute, Watkins combined with Chelsea's Cole Palmer leaving fans raving about the two changes Southgate made.

Thereby when the gaffer was asked in a heartfelt interview about former criticism, Southgate addressed it in the most honourable manner:

"We all want to be loved, right? When you're doing something for your country, you're a proud Englishman - you don't feel that back and all you read is criticism, it's hard," he remarked.

"To be able to celebrate a second final is very special. If I had not been on the grass, I would have been watching and celebrating like (the fans) were."

Southgate added: "I'm the one that has to pick a team so to be able to give them a night like tonight was very special.

"We have come here to win and play the team who have been the best in the tournament (in the final). But we're still here and fighting."

Fans were evidently emotional at the first 20 seconds of the interview:

Gareth Southgate’s “we all want to be loved” comment last night shows how the criticism he routinely suffers really hurts . But he willingly absorbs it so the players don’t have to. England is lucky to have such a decent, thoughtful and honest man at the helm.

— Mark Austin (@markaustintv) July 11, 2024

England are ready to go that one step further than they did at Euro 2020 and once more have Southgate to thank for that.

Bring on Sunday.