Kevin Kilbane: Gareth Southgate may have stumbled across his best XI, but England won’t get past the last eight

Georgia's win over Portugal was the shock that will spawn scores of songs and stories. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

Besides disgruntled Belgian and English fans, everyone seems excited for a classic round of last-16 games. I expect Spain versus France in a semi-final. Sorry, that’s a lifetime away. First, Spain must get past Germany. The clarity of collective thought created by the Spanish and German managers, Luis de la Fuente and Julian Nagelsmann , allows their teams to flourish. Regardless of the age difference, they realise that sacrifices must be made, that Torres cannot fit into a side that includes Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. That Leroy Sané has to lose out to Germany’s brilliant inside attackers Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

The problems inside the English camp are multiplying. In an ITV interview, Rice made his manager look foolish by rubbishing Southgate’s concerns around conditioning and Kane countered criticism from Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer by requesting positive vibes from ex-players-turned-pundits.Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer offer solutions to many Southgate problems.

Gareth-Southgate Jude-Bellingham

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