England reached the semifinals of Euro 2024 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
The game itself was a thrilling affair. Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead in the 75th minute with a goal from a low cross.
However, England responded quickly, with Bukayo Saka leveling the score five minutes later with a spectacular strike from outside the box.
England will now face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Turkey match.
Switzerland’s dreams of making their first-ever European Championship semifinal were dashed in the penalty shootout.
Manuel Akanji’s crucial miss allowed Jordan Pickford to make a decisive save, diving to his left, which gave England an advantage they did not relinquish.
Trent Alexander-Arnold sealed the victory by scoring the final penalty, sending England into their second consecutive European Championship semifinal.
The match saw an even first half, but Switzerland struck first when Embolo capitalized on a bouncing ball in the 18-yard box, which deflected off John Stones’ leg. Embolo reacted quickly and poked it past Pickford.
In response, Gareth Southgate made several substitutions, bringing on Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, and Luke Shaw, who was returning from a hamstring injury.
These changes paid off when Saka, receiving the ball from Declan Rice, cut inside from the right wing and curled a stunning left-footed shot off the post, equalizing the score and thrilling the England fans.
The match remained tied through the final 10 minutes and extra time, leading to the penalty shootout where Akanji’s miss proved decisive. England now moves on to the semifinals to face either Turkey or the Netherlands.
