GARY LINEKER knows more than most about England’s 58 years of hurt — the bloke even has his name mentioned in the lyrics of Three Lions. And the former World Cup Golden Boot winner believes that Gareth Southgate’s side can end decades of agony after developing a mentality reminiscent of Real Madrid in the Champions League. The record 15-time champions of Europe at club level never know when they are beaten.
And despite being a Barcelona man, Lineker recognises the same qualities in England after they came from behind to claim three dramatic wins in the knock-out stages of these Euros. Lineker, who will anchor the BBC’s live coverage of tomorrow’s final against Spain, said: “England didn’t start well but they have grown. They have developed a ‘Real Madrid in the Champions League’ mentality.
“ The Bellingham overhead kick to equalise in the 96th minute against Slovakia, five perfect penalties against Switzerland, then the Ollie Watkins moment at the death against Holland .” Lineker was the six-goal leading scorer at the 1986 World Cup but was denied by Diego Maradona’s controversial Hand of God and then suffered the heartache of defeat in a semi-final shootout by West Germany at Italia 90. And the 63-year-old said: “It was always my ambition to win a trophy as a player for England.
“Subsequently, as a broadcaster, it’s always been my ambition to be able to say ‘England are European champions’ or ‘England are world champions’. And I’m gett.