England advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with a penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland as Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick proved decisive following a 1-1 draw.
Trent Alexander-Arnold slammed home the winning penalty after Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney had also held their nerve, with Pickford thwarting Akanji, Switzerland’s first taker, to clinch a nail-biting 5-3 shoot-out win.
England, who will now face Netherlands in the semi-finals on Wednesday, had looked at risk of limping out of the tournament in normal time when Switzerland’s Breel Embolo stole ahead of Kyle Walker to poke in Dan Ndoye’s deflected cross from close range in the 75th minute.
But Saka, England’s most dangerous player in an unfamiliar right wing-back role, found a leveller shortly afterwards when he cut inside and curled a brilliant finish in off the post from outside the box.
Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and fans celebrate England’s win over Switzerland on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saka’s goal came from England’s first shot on target and Gareth Southgate’s side continued to labour in extra-time, surviving heart-in-mouth moments when Xherdan Shaqiri struck the woodwork directly from a corner and Zeki Amdouni had a shot parried.
None of that mattered in the end, though, as England kept their cool in the shoot-out to exorcise the demons of their Euro 2020 final defeat on penalties to Italy and go through to the semis, with their tie taking place on Wednesday night in Dortmund, kick-off 8pm.
There are issues for Southgate to sort out before that, one challenge being to get more from his out-of-sorts captain Harry Kane, who was replaced by Toney before the shootout following a flat display, but England’s dream of a first trophy since 1966 is alive.
England’s penalty joy in pictures
Saka shows his mettle and quality
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
England would not be celebrating a place in the last four without Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward, England’s most dangerous player, even playing as a wing-back, scored a stunning equaliser during a player-of-the-match performance in Dusseldorf.
Even more impressive, though, was his willingness to then step up and take one of England’s penalties in the shoot-out, only three years after the miss that proved so costly in the final of Euro 2020. Not only that, he converted it too, demonstrating his quality and mettle to help England get over the line.
“I’m going to put it up there,” Saka said to BBC when asked where the win ranked for him afterwards. “It was special, special for how we fought back and to go to penalties as well.
“The last time we took a penalty shoot-out at the Euros, we all know what happened. I’m so proud of everyone that we got over the line.
“I have faith in God. To come back from something like that was really difficult but I used it to make me stronger and today I took the chance, so I’m happy.”
Southgate: The best we’ve played
England boss Gareth Southgate to BBC:
“I just thought the players were brilliant. It’s the best we have played. I thought we caused them a lot of problems. They are a really good side. They are hard to press, they are hard to defend against, their movement is good.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did… Talking to the players about that, winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. It’s not just about that. You’ve got to show other attributes to win and we showed them all tonight.”
On Bukayo Saka’s bravery in taking a penalty in the shoot-out:
“So brave. He is one of our best, so we were never in any question that he was going to take one. But we all know what he went through.
“To deliver as he did…. But not just him, Trent and Ivan, to come on and take them as they did; Cole, he’s like an old man in the way he is fearless. So a huge result for us, a huge performance, and we’re still in it.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.”
Trent: We showed heart and spirit
England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold to BBC:
“Incredible. These are the goals that we set for ourselves. Difficult opponent, going behind, and the team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit out there.
“We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes, and no matter what, we win. That is all that matters to us.”
“The penalties are what we have practised. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I just enjoy it and I practise it – I knew I had to just execute it. All five penalties from us were great.”
How the penalties were taken
‘Under pressure’: Southgate’s effective England hold nerve
Sky Sports News chief news reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
Just before penalties, someone at the Dusseldorf Arena thought it was a good idea to play Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie over the PA system.
As England prepared for the shootout, Bowie and Freddie Mercury were singing about the “terror of knowing what this world is about”.
As it turned out, England held their nerve to make it to the semi-finals thanks to five perfect penalties and Jordan Pickford’s save.
The hard work had been done before the drama of penalties. Gareth Southgate’s decision to change formation was rewarded with an improved performance from an England side who finally showed they might just be good enough to win the Euros.
Bukayo Saka was the best player on the pitch but there were eye-catching performances from plenty of other England players. Sometimes when you watch a game on TV, with the cameras following the ball, it is difficult to appreciate exactly how hard a team is working.
Kaveh Solhekol summarises Bukayo Saka’s stand-out performance against Switzerland, including his incredible curled strike to equalise and keep England in the tournament
England may not have created many chances but they had to be patient and disciplined against a dangerous Switzerland side who are very hard to beat.
Under Southgate, England have become a very good tournament team. He has only ever lost one Euros game and that was on penalties in a final.
Critics say England’s performances in Germany have not been good enough. They want more entertaining football. If you want to be entertained go to the cinema. Tournament football isn’t show business, it’s a results business.
How many teams have won major trophies by playing dazzling football? Argentina won the last World Cup after losing their opening game to Saudi Arabia. Portugal won the Euros in 2016 even though they didn’t win a game in 90 minutes until the semi-finals. France have reached the semi-finals of this Euros without scoring a goal in open play (one penalty and two own goals). Brazil were knocked out of the Copa America by Uruguay last night after a goalless draw and penalties.
Watching Southgate’s team may not be a thrilling experience at the moment but the football they are playing is effective and England are now two wins away from becoming European champions for the first time.
Anything else will not be good enough for Southgate’s critics. “This is our last dance. Under pressure.”