England v Switzerland LIVE: Result and reaction, Alexander-Arnold settles penalty shootout as Three Lions reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
The Three Lions progressed on penalties despite falling behind after Breel Embolo’s strike with Bukayo Saka’s equaliser forcing extra-time and spot kicks in Dusseldorf
England advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a gripping tie with Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
Gareth Southgate’s side squeezed past a defiant Slovakia team last week but were forced to dig deep here after Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead.
But Bukayo Saka’s curler dragged the Three Lions level in a thrilling match as both sides pushed for a winner before settling for extra-time.
And England were perfect in the shootout as Trent Alexander-Arnold struck the decisive kick to book a semi-final next Wednesday in Dortmund.
Follow all the latest reaction from England v Switzerland in our live blog below:
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
102 mins: Saka brings the ball into the box from the right and flicks it over to Bellingham. He shoots with his right foot but Xhaka makes the block.
The ball comes back to Bellingham who shoots with his left this time and curls the ball into the hands of Sommer. Good chance for England.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
99 mins: Will Switzerland be happy to take this to a shootout? They’re passing the ball slowly and look tired.
Eze intercepts and runs at the defence, he cuts inside and is fouled by Schar who is on a yellow card. He’s got away with one there but the referee does give him a warning.
Free kick to England.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
96 mins: Close!
England work the ball up the pitch nicely and find Eze on the left after a couple of direct runs from Palmer. Eze’s cross comes out to Rice who touches it down then blazes a strike at goal only for Sommer to leap and turn it behind.
Good effort, great save!
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
93 mins: Michel Aebischer sends the ball out to Fabian Schar who looks for a first time cross from the right wing again. This time he gets it wrong and scuffs the ball wide of the target.
Jordan Pickford then boots the ball long in order to get England up the pitch.
England 0-0 Switzerland
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney has his say on those late England changes:
The changes were belated, and probably should have come before the Swiss goal, but they are having effect. England immediately look more balanced. There is also a greater intensity, but that might be down to the state of the game and the impact of Saka's goal. It was individual inspiration, really, but may have collective product.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland kick off extra-time with the match all square. The feeling is that another goal will win this match one way or the other. England have a lot of attackers on the pitch with Saka and Eze in the wingback roles.
Can they make use of them?
Extra-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
Full-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
90+3 mins: Chance! Switzerland should win it. Fabian Schar hangs a cross into the middle of the box. It’s too high for Breel Embolo but comes to Dan Ndoye who makes a complete hash of the opportunity and can’t direct the ball at goal.
The whistle goes and this match is heading to extra-time.
England 1-1 Switzerland
90 mins: Palmer is fouled by Schar over on the left wing and wins a free kick in a dangerous area. Phil Foden has it at his feet. He whips it into the area and Yann Sommer punches it away.
Three minutes added on.
England 1-1 Switzerland
88 mins: There’s a nervous energy settling on the game. One error or piece of brilliance could be the defining factor in this quarter-final.
England move the ball nicely around the Swiss box before Saka’s cross is too heavy and goes out for a throw in.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments