England into Euro semi-finals after penalty shootout

England drew 1-1 with Switzerland after 120 minutes of play, before winning 5-3 in the penalty shootout of the third quarter-final of Euro 2024.

England continued to underperform, but still progressed to Euro 2024. For the second successive knockout game, Gareth Southgate's men fell behind. This time, they had just over 15 minutes to find an equaliser, but they didn't need extra time to find it. A moment of individual brilliance from Buyako Saka sent England into extra time and a penalty shootout. In the nerve-wracking shootout, Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji's shot, while all five England players were successful.

England players celebrate their victory over Switzerland in the penalty shootout at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on July 6.

Saka's goal in the 80th minute was also England's only shot on target in the two halves. Their performance was not much different from previous matches, although coach Southgate changed the starting formation to 3-4-2-1. This formation only helped one name play better, and that was Saka. The Arsenal star played prominently in the first 45 minutes with some trouble down the right flank, including a pass for Kobbie Mainoo to finish at the end of the half.

Midfielders like Mainoo, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham were freed up by the new formation, but England lacked quality access to the Swiss penalty area. Southgate’s tactics limited the attacking potential of both sides, with neither team managing a shot on target in the first half. England’s most advanced players like Phil Foden and Harry Kane only touched the ball nine times.

After a first half full of speculation and probing, the second half saw Switzerland step up the tempo. They forced Pickford to work in the 52nd minute, with Breel Embolo finishing inside the box. Coach Murat Yakin then let his players up the tempo and chances came more often. Southgate had no response and England conceded in the 75th minute. Substitutes Silvan Widmer and Steven Zuber combined, before Dan Ndoye crossed low into the box. John Stones took a touch and the ball changed direction, and Pickford could not stop Embolo from tapping the ball into an empty net.

It was only when he was behind that Southgate reacted. He sent Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Luke Shaw onto the pitch at the same time, as if he was gambling. England's attack became more flexible and the goal came in the 80th minute. Saka, England's standout player, dribbled from the right wing, cut into the middle and shot dangerously into the far corner, leaving Yann Sommer to watch the ball go into the net.

Saka (left) scored, equalizing 1-1 for England. Photo: Reuters

The Three Lions' spirits were high after the goal and if Eze had finished more accurately, England could have decided the match in 90 minutes. Switzerland could have done the same if Embolo and Ndoye had understood each other better in the situation of jumping into the air at the end of the match.

Extra time is when both teams change their strategic players to prepare for a penalty shootout. All the substitutes successfully scored in the nerve-wracking shootout, such as Palmer, Ivan Toney or Trent Alexander-Arnold - who took the decisive kick. On the Swiss side, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mohamed Amdouni also scored. Shaqiri even almost helped Yakin's team win in 120 minutes, with a corner kick that hit the crossbar.

The only player to miss in the penalty shootout was Switzerland's best player, Manuel Akanji. The Man City centre-back "killed" Harry Kane throughout the match and even forced the England striker off the field with an injury. But in the penalty shootout, Akanji took a short run-up and shot too weakly, allowing Pickford to save. That missed penalty meant Switzerland could not go further than the Euro quarter-finals for the first time.

Five England players all beat penalty specialist Yann Sommer. Besides Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and Toney, the other two who succeeded in the shootout were Bellingham and Saka. Saka was one of three players who had missed a penalty in the previous Euro final against Italy and had been subjected to much criticism and racism. "I used the memories of the last Euro to make me stronger," he said after the match.

After winning a penalty shootout at the Euros for the first time since 1996, England will face either the Netherlands or Türkiye in the semi-finals.

According to VnExpress

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