Euro 2024: Kobbie Mainoo on meteoric rise to brink of European glory with England - ‘Such a journey’
Published 11/07/2024 at 12:33 GMT+1
Kobbie Mainoo has rapidly become one of England's most important players and produced another fine display in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night. It was the first time in the tournament that Mainoo featured for the full 90 minutes, and he showed his undoubted importance to Gareth Southgate's side in Dortmund. Mainoo urged his team to "put ourselves into history".
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Video credit: SNTV
Kobbie Mainoo reflected on his rapid ascent to stardom after playing a key role in England’s progression to the Euro 2024 final.
The 19-year-old has been one of the star performers for Gareth Southgate’s side, in what has been a stand-out breakthrough season with his national team and Manchester United.
Mainoo produced a 90-minute display of maturity beyond his tender years in Wednesday night’s semi-final win over the Netherlands, and appeared to be in disbelief at just how far he has progressed.
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It’s happened quickly, but I’ve just been taking it day by day, game by game, and yes, now we’re in the European Championship final.
“We’re all buzzing, it’s been such a journey to get here. I feel like we’ve built on our performances that we’ve had leading to this point and I feel like the only way is up, time to put ourselves into history.”
Mainoo elaborated on what was an assured first-half performance, especially how England gained the midfield control they have sometimes lacked this tournament.
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Video credit: SNTV
“I feel like in the first half it was clicking with the whole team, everyone was getting on the ball,” he explained.
“Me, Phil [Foden], Dec [Rice], Jude [Bellingham], I feel like we had the game under control in middle of the park and feel like the second half we had to grind out.
“It was very tough, but the whole squad was a help. I mean, the impact off the bench from Cole [Palmer] and Ollie. I mean, what a finish, what a way to end it.”
England’s biggest test is still to come though, as they face a star-studded Spain side in Berlin, but Mainoo believes the team are building up to an exciting climax.
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He said: “Everyone has seen that they are a good side and have taken down some big teams.
“But I feel we’ll be ready for that. I feel like we’ve built up so much now, building on performances, and now the only way is up, and we’re going to be ready for that.
"We’re going to give it everything.”
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