England primed and ready to rise to their next challenge

A quarter-final of a major tournament is strangely familar territory for this England side, but a fresh challenge awaits when they face Ukraine in Rome on Saturday night

England face Ukraine in Rome on Saturday (AFP via Getty Images)

It's not been often over the last 55 years that an England side have been able to use the experience of a run through the knockout rounds of a major tournament to their advantage.

But as Gareth Southgate's side gear up for their Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine on Saturday that's exactly where they are at.

The Three Lions are into the last eight of the tournament after a famous win over Germany in the last 16 on Tuesday night. The victory, courtesy of second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane, was a first in the knockout phase over their old rivals since 1966 and a first in any competitive game in nearly 20 years.

It all adds up to a second quarter-final appearance in as many tournaments after this side's journey all the way to the final four at the World Cup in Russia three years ago.

It is hoped then that this team really is different, unburdened by the pain of their predecessors and primed, in the words of their manager in the wake of that Wembley win, to do something "really special" over the next 10 days.

That begins in Rome this weekend and a very different challenge to any they've faced so far. In topping Group D without conceding a goal, England didn't have to leave home soil playing all three games at Wembley. That was then followed by Germany in the round of 16, again played out in familiar surroundings.

In a tournament characterised by the vast travel involved across 11 countries, the furthest the Three Lions have gone is from Burton to London and back. It has no doubt been an advantage but one they won't be able to rely on against Ukraine.

"This one's more mental than anything," captain Kane says. "Coming off a big high like that, it's about kind of getting back down to earth, focusing on what's to come because we haven't done nothing yet.

"We've still got a long way to go and Ukraine will be a tough game in a different stadium so a different experience. One we've not had yet in this tournament.

"It's just important that we focus on that now. Like I said, we have a vision of where we want to be and it's not just winning them one-off games, them one-off knockout games. It's going all the way.

"We've got to make sure we recover well now. The boys are training who didn't play and training hard, and we're going to need everyone if we are going to go far in this tournament."

The late goal against the Germans was Kane's first at the tournament and ended a run that clearly weighed heavily on him in blanks against Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic in the group stage.

His manager believes Kane's return to form can only be good for his team's chances, likening his run to that of Alan Shearer, who went two years without an international goal before ending his streak against Switzerland at Euro 96.

"I played with Alan at Euro 96 and the change in him once he got that goal," Southgate said. "We know with Harry and Raheem their goalscoring record with us has been immense and so important. We cannot just expect Harry to be the one to deliver so Raheem has weighed in at a crucial moment and is looking electric, but if we can get Harry scoring as well that is great for us as a team.

Harry Kane’s goal against Germany was his first of the tournament (Getty Images)

"There is a huge expectation and although at times it would feel from the outside it is a glamorous position to be in and they certainly get paid well, it comes with immense pressure and expectation and I think it is important as a manager to understand that and have empathy with that.

"Not only is there the public expectation but there is an inherent desire and drive that centre forwards have that if you win the game they don't score and they are irritated. They cannot help that. That is the mindset of the top players. So it (the Germany win) will have been a perfect day for him.

"He wants the team to win more than anything else but for the team to win and him to score, without a doubt that will put a big smile on his face."

The England squad watched the Ukrainians’ last-16 win - a hard-fought one over Sweden in extra-time in Glasgow - on the coach journey back to St George's Park.

"It was a good game," Kane added. "Obviously it went to extra time so it was a tough game for both teams. Sweden went down to 10 men and then, yeah, Ukraine had a huge high scoring in the last minute of extra time.

"I'm sure they'll be buzzing today as a team and I'm sure they'll take that into the game on Saturday as well. I mean, we've just got to make sure for everyone. I think their greatest strength is their team unity.

"We need to be ready for that so we know that if we play to our highest abilities and mentally then we should have enough to win the game. But it's knockout football, anything can happen, so we've got to make sure we're ready."

After so long without a winning team to support that's all England fans can ask for.