Harry Maguire has admitted that both he and his teammates knew they were not ready to reach a major international final before their semi-final defeat to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s side made history on Wednesday night when they only became the second England team ever to reach the final in a major competition and beat Denmark 2-1 to reach the Euro 2020 show event.
The night got off to a rocky start when Mikkel Damsgaard’s strike gave Denmark the lead, but Maguire believes that the success and development of the site in recent years saw them well equipped to turn the deficit around.
The England defender continued with a sincere confession when he claimed that the team knew they were not ready for a major international final when they were beaten by Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but he now appreciates their success after years of hard work.
“Obviously it’s a great experience we’ve been on, not just this trip but for the last three or four years,” he told Sky Sports. “I think we then Russia were so disappointed in the semifinals, but we knew at that stage that we were just not ready to continue playing in that semifinal to guarantee a place in the final.”
“We knew that when the semi-final came against Denmark we would be much more focused, much more ready and I think the performances that the boys did were a fantastic achievement. We dominated the game from start to finish.
Harry Maguire and Declan Rice Celebrate / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
“Obviously the setback we had in the game, from a strange strike from their players on a free kick, to overcome it was a really important time and stage for us and I think it shows how far we have come in the last three or four years. “
Damsgaard’s goal against England offered them their first real setback in Euro 2020, and Maguire revealed that a lot of work had been done behind the scenes to prepare if they were to fall behind.
“We had not conceded a goal, we had not conceded the first goal so we talked about how we would react and deal with it because we know that the probability is that you will get a setback,” he said.
“I believe that faith grows with the years you work together and that you train together. I believe that faith a few years ago was not there when we had that setback in Russia, and I think it has grown with experience .
Harry Maguire is looking for a memorable night for Euro 2020 / Paul Ellis – Pool / Getty Images
Maguire believes that the family spirit within the group has been the key to England’s success in recent years, but he says that their progress to the final of Euro 2020 has been a nationwide effort.
“I think the spirit of the group is incredible,” he added. “We are all rivals when we go back to our clubs, but when we meet we are a big family. I think the bottom line is that we all want the same thing – we all want to win for our country.
“We talk about belonging in the group, but for me I feel that it’s not just the group, it’s the country, I really do. I feel that the fans are right with us, they have been for the last three or four years. I feel that everyone is in this together, it’s not just in the group, I feel it’s everyone.
“For everyone to get together, I really felt like this tournament was an opportunity for us to really bring people together, the time for it, as you say, we’re over the top and trying to get back to normal.
Gareth Southgate has turned the fortune on the English side / Frank Augstein – Pool / Getty Images
“I feel that this was an opportunity for us to really make progress, in terms of putting smiles back on our faces, bringing energy back to the country and, as I say, me and the boys are so happy that we have been able to do that.
“A memorable evening we need now, and another push and a great show to go and make everyone proud and we will do everything we can to do that.”
