Maguire: England now have the belief ahead of Euro 2020 semi

‘We lacked bravery in our last semi-final but now we believe’: Harry Maguire opens up on England’s determination to right the wrongs of the Russia World Cup exit at Euro 2020

• Harry Maguire featured in the 2018 World Cup semi-final after just 11 games 
• The central half was new to the national side back then, but now has wisdom 
• Maguire says England now believe in themselves ahead of facing Denmark 
• The winner will take on Spain or Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley 

One of the most abiding memories of the World Cup semi-final in Moscow involved Harry Maguire.

At the end of the 2-1 defeat by Croatia, the Manchester United defender — a Leicester player back then — seemed reluctant to leave the field. 

Maguire had only played 11 times for his country. He had come a long way in a short time and was not the only one who didn’t want the journey around Russia to end.

That month did a lot for Maguire, as it did for Gareth Southgate’s England. But looking back, Maguire sees things differently. 

Now he sees not just the romance and excitement of it all but also the things England did wrong, mistakes he does not expect to be repeated against Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday night.

Harry Maguire spoke to the media on Monday ahead of England’s crunch semi-final clash

The defender is in high spirits after returning to full fitness and scoring against Ukraine

‘I think we are in a much better place,’ said Maguire on Monday. ‘We’ll probably have a little bit more belief going into the Denmark game. We hadn’t been to a semi-final in so long so the belief wasn’t there.

‘Could we have been a little braver in the second half against Croatia? Could we be a little more composed and take the ball when we were leading instead of sitting back and soaking up the pressure?

‘Is that something we could have done better? We have looked at that over the period that’s followed and we are in a better place now. The belief is there this time.’

Maguire understands what that World Cup experience did for English football.

Equally, he understands how this time it is different. The expectation levels have been higher for Euro 2020, something the players have handled on all but the night they drew with Scotland.

England are now back at home, too, and that makes a difference. Maguire said on Monday that the players could hear the rendition of Sweet Caroline that ripped round Wembley before the last-16 win over Germany as they were preparing for the game.

Maguire had made just 11 appearances for England as the team were beaten by Croatia in 2018

Gareth Southgate’s England have come a long way since 2018 and are favourites for the Euros

Support and excitement ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final will be at a level unknown since Euro 96 and Maguire is sure England are ready to use that as fuel.

‘Against Germany it really felt like football was back,’ he said. ‘It’s what football deserves, that atmosphere. And we’ve got even more fans in the stadium for the semi-final. It’s going to be electric, a great atmosphere.

‘We’re really feeling the fans’ support and love and it’s spurring us on to do great things.

‘We put on a great show to win 4-0 in Rome but Wembley’s our home. It’s where we grew up watching, where we want to play and we’re looking forward to the semi-final being there.’

Maguire’s recent story is well known. The 29-year-old has recovered from his tribulations on holiday on Mykanos last summer and from an ankle injury that delayed his entry to this tournament to be one of Southgate’s most important players.

Against Wednesday night’s opponents at an empty Wembley last October, Maguire was sent off for two bookings.

He looked physically and mentally shot and it has been some recovery since then.

‘Well, four days before that game we had just beaten the No 1 ranked team in the world, Belgium, and I played 90 minutes in that game,’ he said, a little sharply. ‘I had a big part to play in that game so my confidence had to be up.

Maguire’s bullet header in Rome sent England well on their way to victory over Ukraine

‘My touch was perhaps a bit off against Denmark. It was definitely off for the second booking that I got. When I was walking off the pitch, of course I felt low. I felt like I was letting my team down.

‘But mistakes happen and then you bounce back and I am proud of the way I have handled myself from then on.

‘I never worried for my international career. I always felt I had something to bring. I knew, without getting into too much detail of what went off in the summer, where I stood on that. I’m totally over it. It was a tough time, for sure, but I’ve moved on.’

If Maguire was a little irritated by that subject being raised again, fair enough. He has been reminded of it a lot recently. What is undeniable is the way he has recovered and that’s the mark of a top-class sportsman.

Having scored against Ukraine in Rome to register England’s first set-piece goal of the tournament, Maguire admits his confidence in those situations is high.

He also revealed a small role in the re-emergence of United team-mate Luke Shaw. ‘I do put a lot of demands on him,’ he said. ‘I don’t accept him playing safe and not getting forward because for Manchester United you’ve seen he is a big attacking threat.

‘The main difference I feel within Luke is his mentality and the demands he is putting on himself now to not just be a 6/10 in each and every game.’

Shaw didn’t play that night in Moscow three years ago. Ashley Young was the left back, which shows how fast football can move in a short time.

England must hope things have changed significantly in many ways since then.

They looked a tired team against Croatia in 2018. Denmark may not find that this time.

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