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
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
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes after Euro 2024 quarter-final victory
England’s former players hailed the courage and execution of the current generation after Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squeezed past Switzerland on penalties and into the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The match finished 1-1 at full-time after Breel Embolo’s second-half goal was soon matched by Bukayo Saka’s trademark finish, and it stayed that way through extra time. But England put together a perfect penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted the winning kick, after Jordan Pickford had saved Switzerland’s first penalty from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes
An improved showing against Switzerland followed by five perfect penalties brought out high praise from England’s former critics
England’s player of the match Bukayo Saka speaking to BBC One:
“I am going to put it up there, special. How we fought back and to go to penalties. Last time we took at penalty shootout at the Euros we know what happened. I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it - I am proud of myself for that.
“I have faith in God. To comeback from something like that [missing a penalty in Euro 2020 final] is really difficult, today I took the chance.
“I think it shows how much we want to win this tournament. Hopefully, next game we can win in 90-minutes but if this is what it takes – we will do anything!”
Reaction from Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking to BBC One after England’s win: “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.
“It is what we have practiced [penalties]. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it - I knew I had to just execute it.
“All five penalties from us were great.”
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
It can’t have been easy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He started in the line-up for the first couple of Euro 2024 matches but was dropped as England searched for more balance. He came on very, very late in the game and was asked to score the most crucial of penalties.
Nerves of steel from the Liverpool man to send England into the final four.
Celebrations erupt as England reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell celebrate England Euro 2024 quarter-final win
This is the moment Lewis Hamilton and George Russell celebrated England winning their quarter-final match against Switzerland today (Saturday 6 July).
A video posted to the Mercedes Formula 1 TikTok shows the racing drivers watching the game on large screens with fans behind them.
The pair clap and smile as the crowds behind them erupt into cheers as England win in the penalty shoot-out.
They also had their own achievements to celebrate, as Russell is set to lead Sunday’s race at Silverstone after finishing first in qualifying, with Hamilton starting behind him.
Frank Lampard speaking on BBC One:
“Gareth Southgate deserves a lot of credit. There was a lot of pressure on and he has made a lot of serious calls, the in-game subs worked.”
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka reacts to England defeat:
“The initial feeling is one of sadness and disappointment, because we didn’t deserve to lose like this. On the other hand, we can be proud of ourselves.
“From the first game until today, we kept improving and we showed great character, great team spirit and we always told ourselves ‘to beat us, it will take a lot’. “
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