I don’t know how people actually watch England games

I DON’T know how people actually watch England games.

I had not experienced a knockout match like this as a fan for a very long time.

Normally, I’m on the pitch and, trust me, it’s much easier. You don’t have time to consider your emotions because you’re just in the mix of it.

But when you’re sat there, with your kids, and they’re wanting England to win as well, you can’t control anything, you’re helpless. Your emotions rest on other people.

That feeling as a player is totally different. I’ve been in many situations, more so for Manchester City, where we needed something late on and someone pops up with that special goal

I think back to when we won the Prem at Aston Villa four years ago, when Kevin De Bruyne had no right to get that ball but made the extra yard, and then Ilkay Gundogan was at the back post and, all of sudden, the rest is history.

But as an England player, my memories are more the times where we didn’t get over the line.

It was the first time since the 1966 final that we have conceded the opening goal and gone on to win at a World Cup, which is amazing.

It probably wasn’t the best of displays, but it was about going through.
Was I worried? Of course I was, we were 1-0 down and Congo’s keeper was playing fantastically.

He made some unbelievable saves. However, for Harry Kane’s first goal he could have done a bit better.

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But put two keepers in there would not have stopped Harry’s second goal — it was incredible.

I’ve seen him hit one for Spurs against Arsenal when he had no right to shoot but put it in the top corner.

This one was probably more important when you’re putting your country through to the last 16.

It’s fantastic, it’s what H does.

Jude Bellingham has stepped up the last couple of games and H has not got as many goals as he probably wanted — but now he’s come up with another two.

I’ve been in the position Djed Spence was for the Congo goal. Pep Guardiola used to go on about how everyone gets attracted to the ball because we all love it.

Ezri Konsa and Mark Guehi have done that, and Djed’s had to go with the runner, which was the right thing to do.

Then you ask if Jordan Pickford could have done better but, as Joe Hart said in the commentary, all his body weight was leaning to the left.

You could see his body shifting to the left, thinking that he’s going to bend it.

And then he’s just reversed and for him to get down to the right, was going to be difficult.

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I’m not going to butter everything up and say that it was a perfect performance from England. It wasn’t.

Did we create more clear-cut chances than we did against Panama? Yes, of course we did.

The substitutions worked. It’s been a little bit of a stop-start season for Bukayo Saka, but I always say cream rises to the top.

You just need a few minutes in your legs, a little bit of rhythm. You go on autopilot and just play your football.

And if B can come to the levels he has shown over the years for Arsenal, it will be good for England

The players will be relieved having come back from 1-0 down to win.

You look at the negative press that would have attracted had they lost.

I know there’s been comments on Tuchel shouting at his players from the touchline but footballers react differently to it.

People like me let it go in one ear and out the other because you’ve got too much to concentrate on.

But the manager is obviously emotional. The pressure is on him just as much as the players — and he wants to get his point across.