Following a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time, England defeated Switzerland in a thrilling penalty shootout to move to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. Jordan Pickford’s vital stop from Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick proved the difference.
After Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Ivan Toney retained their composure in the penalty shootout, Trent Alexander-Arnold netted the game-winning penalty. Pickford’s save against Akanji, Switzerland’s first taker, sealed a suspenseful 5-3 victory.
home the 75th minute, England looked to be heading out of normal time until Breel Embolo of Switzerland took advantage of a mistake made by Kyle Walker to knock home a deflected cross from Dan Ndoye. But soon after, Saka—arguably England’s most dangerous player—equalized the score with a wonderful curling effort from outside the box in an unaccustomed right wing-back spot.
Pickford turned hero after 120 minutes as he stopped Switzerland’s first penalty. Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Toney, and Alexander-Arnold all made it through on penalties to guarantee England’s place in the semi-finals, where they will play Turkey on Wednesday in Dortmund or the Netherlands on Thursday.
With ten minutes remaining, England, who required Bellingham’s 95th-minute equaliser to eliminate Slovakia in the round of 16, once more managed to avoid loss.
Switzerland’s dismal performance in big event quarterfinals—they have lost all five and have never advanced to the semifinals—was exacerbated by Manchester City defender Akanji’s missed penalty. On the other hand, England advanced despite yet another lacklustre showing from Gareth Southgate’s team.
“We know there are two more games, we can change our lives and make more history that’s not been done before,” said man-of-the-match Saka.
In his 100th match in charge, Southgate resisted calls for significant changes but altered the system, giving Ezri Konsa his first competitive international start in place of the suspended Marc Guehi. Contrary to expectations, Saka remained on the right, proving to be an inspired decision.
The Arsenal winger was England’s biggest threat in a first half that saw no shots on target. Saka frequently outpaced Michel Aebischer and created the best chance of the first period when Kobbie Mainoo’s effort was deflected behind just before half-time.
England will now face the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals.
