In a thrilling encounter at the Euro 2024 quarterfinals in Düsseldorf on Saturday, England secured a dramatic 5-3 victory over Switzerland in a penalty shootout, earning a place in the semifinals. The match, which ended 1-1 after extra time, saw England exorcise past demons associated with penalty shootouts.
Trent Alexander-Arnold sealed the win with a powerful shot into the top corner, as England confidently converted all their spot kicks. “The team showed a lot of character, a lot of belief, heart, and spirit out there,” Alexander-Arnold told BBC. “We knew it was going to be tight but whatever it takes, no matter what, we win and that’s all that matters.”
England manager Gareth Southgate praised Alexander-Arnold, who had been benched in the earlier games. “He could have easily thought his tournament was done,” Southgate said. “I kept talking to him. He’s going to have moments; there’s still a big part to play.”
Bukayo Saka, who had missed a crucial penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout and faced racial abuse afterward, confidently scored his penalty, showcasing resilience and growth. The other successful penalty takers were young talents Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, alongside Ivan Toney, who made a notable comeback after serving an eight-month ban.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a crucial save from Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji, giving England the upper hand in the shootout. Reflecting on England’s historically tumultuous relationship with penalty shootouts, this victory marks a significant moment. Under Southgate’s leadership since 2016, England has now won three of four shootouts, a stark contrast to the two decades prior.
England will face the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday for a spot in the final, as excitement builds among fans worldwide, including the enthusiastic Asian football community eager to see how the tournament unfolds.
Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin expressed his disappointment as his team exited the tournament. “I’m really sad for the players,” he said, acknowledging their efforts despite falling short in the shootout.
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England beat Switzerland 5-3 in shootout to reach Euro 2024 semifinals
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