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:
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
It isn’t always convincing, it is often confusing, but the results are as clear as Bukayo Saka’s shot: England are in Gareth Southgate’s third major semi-final after a shootout victory over Switzerland. They are now two games from glory, even if the football doesn’t always evoke that feeling.
That won’t matter to the team and it often doesn’t matter to a tournament. England have found a way. Through that, Gareth Southgate may have found a team. The introduction of Luke Shaw may end up as influential as anything else in this tournament, with a game that required others to make the difference.
Above all was Saka, who rescued England with a piece of individual brilliance, and then continued to bury the memory of Euro 2020 with another supreme penalty. Next was Jordan Pickford, who made the fateful save from Manuel Akanji. That ended up being all that was required, as all of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold slotted home with minimum fuss, and maximum precision.
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
England 1-1 Switzerland, England win 5-3 on penalties: The Arsenal star scored in regular time and converted in the shootout, with Trent Alexander-Arnold striking the winning spot kick to ensure the Three Lions booked their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin:
“It hurts. We put so much effort in, created so many chances. I’m sad for the lads, and for the nation. England didn’t have many chances and we created quite a few of our own. We don’t deserve to be going home but we can be really proud.
“We don’t need to hide any more. We were eliminated because it wasn’t quite enough today. A penalty shoot-out is a matter of luck and we didn’t have it. We have caused the big teams a lot of problems so we exit with our heads held high.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
England have reached the European Championship semi-finals in consecutive tournaments for the first time. Indeed, since the group stage was introduced in 1980, the Three Lions had only got to that stage once before the appointment of Gareth Southgate - doing so at Euro 96 with Southgate playing in every game that tournament.
Micah Richards praises ‘delightful’ Foden after improved England performance against Switzerland
Micah Richards praised “delightful” Phil Foden following a much-improved England performance against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Southgate appeared to shift to a three-man defence for the clash on Saturday.
Speaking prior to the match, Foden said: “Let’s see if it works, I am looking forward to it. For me, I’ll be more centrally and staying inside. I think it will suit me a little bit better today.”
Southgate’s team were praised by BBC Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand during their half-time analysis.
Richards said: “It’s been delightful to see Foden in a position where he can have an impact on the game.”
Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand explain ‘the difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
Gareth Southgate was lauded by BBC pundits for changing England’s formation and getting the best out of Phil Foden during their Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.
Southgate decided to deploy wing-backs for the first time in two years in an effort to match up Switzerland’s 3-4-3 system, and the decision proved fruitful as England smothered their opponents’ build-up from the back and forced some sloppy mistakes.
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden played in central No 10 roles behind Harry Kane and Foden in particular was influential in England’s best attacking moments of a first half which ended 0-0.
Lampard and Ferdinand explain ‘difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
The BBC’s half-time analysis hailed Gareth Southgate’s tactical tweaks for England’s quarter-final against Switzerland
More from Bellingham:
“These moments are even more special or only special if you go on to win the next game and hopefully win the tournament. It’s moments like these that you look back on and make it even more worth it. It all becomes worth it if you can back it up and that’s what we have to do in the next few days.”
Here’s Jude Bellingham giving his thoughts on the game:
“All in all it’s probably our best performance of the tournament. We’ve very proud of the boys. The things you can’t always measure and see is character and mentality and we showed that again in the shootout. For subs to come on and take a penalty in that pressure is a special, special thing.
“I do the practice like all the other lads and I have my process. I rely on the practice I do. Sometimes you can step up and miss. I always think there’s a comfort when you’re following a process you’ve come to terms with.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
England have won just four penalty shootouts in their history but two of them have come against Switzerland, in 2019 in the Uefa Nations League and tonight.
Bukayo Saka says penalty pressure is ‘something I embrace’ after England beat Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2024
Bukayo Saka laid his Euro 2020 demons to rest by netting one of England’s five successful spot-kick in the Three Lions’ penalty win against Switzerland.
Speaking after England sealed a quarter-final place in Euro 2024 on Saturday (6 July), the right-winger said: “For me, it’s something I embrace.
“You can fail once, but you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position or not again. I am a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself and when I saw the ball hit the net I was a very happy man.”
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