Phil Foden shows true colours in England aftermath as Man City stars send message after 'cruel' game

As England players ran off wildly to celebrate in Dortmund last night, three Manchester City players took a break from their team celebrations to console a Blues teammate on the losing Netherlands side.

Last week, City's trio of England players had made an effort to speak to Switzerland's Manu Akanji - who missed the decisive penalty in their quarter-final. And on Wednesday, Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker all had kind words for City teammate Nathan Ake.

Ollie Watkins' 91st-minute goal sent England into their second successive final at the expense of Ake's Dutch side, sparking joyous celebrations in injury time and after the full time whistle. But Walker, Stones and Foden all made sure to console Ake on his disappointment, with the left-back enjoying a fine tournament which ended with two assists.

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Ake since posted on Twitter: "Football can be cruel sometimes! It wasn’t to be. Thank you to all the fans coming out here in numbers this Tournament! We will be back."

Foden had been substituted towards the end of the game for former City player Cole Palmer, who made an impact by setting up Watkins' winner. It had been Foden's most influential performance at the tournament, coming close to two wonderful solo goals in a more central number ten role alongside Jude Bellingham at the top of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

And Foden spoke afterwards of how he feels 'more like himself' in a similar position as he plays for City, telling Gareth Southgate that is where he can be most effective in the final vs Spain - a game he says is the biggest of his career.

"I was a bit