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England's Euro 2020 final run reflects how Gareth Southgate and players changed a nation's mood

BURTON UPON TRENT, England -- It was in the months after England's run to the 2018 World Cup semifinals when manager Gareth Southgate began to realise the impact he had made on the country.

"What hit me coming back from Russia was families coming up to me on the street, people coming up to me on the street from all backgrounds of our country and saying they felt they could go to a game now and not be abused at the stadium, connect with the team," Southgate said ahead of England's Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday (3 p.