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 advanced to Euro 2024. For the second consecutive knockout game, Gareth Southgate's men fell behind. This time, they had just over 15 minutes to find an equaliser, but did not need injury 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, namely Saka. The Arsenal star played prominently in the first 45 minutes with disruptive moves on 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 had no quality solutions to get into 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 had nine touches of the ball.

After a first half full of planning and probing, the second half saw Switzerland pick up the pace. They forced Pickford to work in the 52nd minute, with Breel Embolo finishing inside the box. Coach Murat Yakin then let his players increase the tempo and chances began to come. 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 in the match, dribbled from the right wing and cut into the middle before shooting a tricky shot 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 together at the end of the match.

Extra time is where the two teams change their strategic players to prepare for the penalty shootout. All the players who were substituted 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 who missed a penalty in the shootout was Switzerland's best player, Manuel Akanji. The Man City centre-back "killed" Harry Kane all match and even forced the England striker to leave the field injured. But in the 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 Yann Sommer - a penalty specialist. Besides Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and Toney, the other two who successfully took the penalty were Bellingham and Saka. Saka was one of three players who had missed the penalty in the previous Euro final against Italy and had been subjected to much criticism and racism. "I used the memories of the previous Euro to make myself 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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