England secured their place in the Euro 2024 semifinals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland, capping off a tense quarterfinal clash on Saturday. Trent Alexander-Arnold, stepping up after being initially dropped from the starting lineup, became the hero of the hour, slamming home the decisive penalty to seal an emotional win for the Three Lions. The match concluded 1-1 after extra time, with both teams displaying resilience and determination.
The game began cautiously, with neither side able to carve out clear-cut opportunities in the first hour. England, despite showing flashes of improved creativity compared to their previous matches, struggled to convert possession into tangible threats. Switzerland, fresh off an impressive victory against Italy, mirrored England’s cautious approach, prioritizing defensive solidity. However, the deadlock was broken in the 75th minute when Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead. A deflected low cross from Dan Ndoye on the right flank found Embolo, who skillfully stretched ahead of Kyle Walker to poke the ball into the net.
England’s manager Gareth Southgate responded swiftly to going behind, making a triple substitution, introducing Cole Palmer, Luke Shaw, and Eberechi Eze into the fray. The changes had an immediate impact as just five minutes later, Bukayo Saka, showcasing his composure and skill, leveled the score. Cutting in from the right wing, Saka unleashed a brilliant left-footed curler from 20 meters out that nestled perfectly inside the far post, sending the England fans into raptures. Saka, who had previously faced the heartbreak of missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, demonstrated remarkable mental strength to convert confidently in this crucial moment.
Extra time saw both teams searching for a winner, but clear chances remained scarce. Declan Rice came close for England, forcing a brilliant diving save from Yann Sommer with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. At the other end, Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri almost snatched a late goal directly from a corner, but his effort clipped the post, further heightening the tension. Ultimately, penalties loomed as the inevitable decider.
In the penalty shootout, England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford emerged as a key figure, saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty to give England the advantage. Cool and composed, Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, and Ivan Toney all converted their spot-kicks with confidence, setting the stage for Alexander-Arnold’s decisive moment. The Liverpool defender, who had entered the match as a late substitute, stepped up and emphatically smashed his penalty into the top corner, sending England through to the Euro 2024 semifinals and sparking scenes of jubilation among players and fans alike.
Speaking after the match, Alexander-Arnold expressed his elation, stating, “Incredible. These are the goals and aims that we set for ourselves. The team showed a lot of character, belief, a lot of heart and spirit out there. We dug deep when it mattered most.” Coach Gareth Southgate lauded his team’s resilience and tactical discipline, emphasizing the importance of qualities beyond just playing well to win tournaments. Meanwhile, Shaqiri acknowledged the brutal nature of defeat via penalties, but expressed pride in Switzerland’s performance throughout the tournament.
England now advance to face the Netherlands in the semifinal in Dortmund. While the victory over Switzerland provides a significant confidence boost, particularly ending England’s historical penalty shootout anxieties, the team will likely need to sharpen their attacking edge against tougher opposition. However, for now, England can savor this hard-fought victory and look forward to the challenge of the Euro 2024 semifinals with renewed belief and momentum.
