Mount’s return coincided with England’s biggest win and most impressive display of the tournament so far. The goals were timed to perfection, one inside five minutes and two more within five minutes of the second half restart at the Stadio Olimpico, with Mount’s corner converted by Jordan Henderson just after the hour mark.
It was patience and penetration that paid off, though Chelsea’s Player of the Year believes spirit and unity have been the key ingredients to the team’s run to the last four.
‘We were very calm on the ball because we can move it and kill teams in different ways,’ he explained. ‘At set-pieces and from open play, we know we are a threat. There are a lot of positives we can take from the game.
‘You can see the passion in the group, the togetherness and desire we have to succeed, to keep playing well and to win games. With that togetherness we have, it’s going to take us hopefully a long way.’