Phil Foden propelled England into the European Championships final, joining three other Manchester City players who will compete in Berlin on Sunday.
As England’s players erupted in celebration in Dortmund, three City stars momentarily paused to console a teammate on the defeated Netherlands side. Last week, City’s English trio had comforted Switzerland’s Manu Akanji after he missed a critical penalty in the quarter-final. On Wednesday, Phil Foden, John Stones, and Kyle Walker extended their sympathies to City teammate Nathan Ake.
Ollie Watkins’ 91st-minute goal secured England’s spot in their second consecutive final, sparking jubilant scenes during injury time and after the final whistle. Amidst the celebrations, Walker, Stones, and Foden made sure to console Ake, who had a stellar tournament with two assists but was now facing elimination.
Ake later tweeted, “Football can be cruel sometimes! It wasn’t to be. Thank you to all the fans coming out here in numbers this Tournament! We will be back.”
Foden, substituted late in the game for former City player Cole Palmer, witnessed Palmer assist Watkins’ match-winning goal. This game marked Foden’s most impactful performance of the tournament, nearly scoring twice in a more central role alongside Jude Bellingham in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
After the game, Foden expressed his comfort in the central role, akin to his position at City, and emphasized his effectiveness there for the upcoming final against Spain—a match he considers the biggest of his career. “I was a bit unlucky tonight, a few close chances. The main thing is the team winning. Tonight was probably my best in an England shirt.
“The last two games have seen personal improvements; the position is helping me get on the ball and into dangerous areas. I enjoyed it, picking up spaces, and I looked more like myself, like I do for City. I’m finding myself on the edge of the box and getting shots away. I’m enjoying my football.”
