Euro 2024 - live: England reaction and analysis as Gareth Southgate’s side reach semi-finals after penalty heroics | OneFootball

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England fans throw drinks after Saka scores equaliser in Euro match against Switzerland

Euro 2024 is entering its final week and only four nations remain involved - with England still one of them following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland in Dusseldorf. Gareth Southgate had to turn to his substitutes and squad players to get them a late equaliser and subsequent win from 12 yards, with Trent Alexander-Arnold drilling in the decisive effort.

Now they’ll face Netherlands in the last four after their comeback win over Turkey - while Spain and France will meet in the other semi-final.

Gareth Southgate spoke after the game about his pride in the squad overcoming challenges and pointed out this side has overcome the demons of previous tournaments when it comes to penalties: “We’ve been in four and we won three. We got crucified for the one we lost but it’s outcome based,” he said after knocking out the Swiss. “We have more regular penaly takers now than then [against Italy] and more who have been in shootouts. We have a calm process but the players still have to deal with it the way they did.”

Now it’s all about recovery ahead of Wednesday’s meeting in Dortmund, and honing the tactics to help them reach a second men’s European Championship final in three years. Follow all the latest news and England analysis and reaction below:

Euro 2024 live - England into semi-finals

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Euro 2024 live - England analysis and latest news updates

Turkey exit Euro 2024 after earning respect and optimism

Turkey narrowly missed matching their best ever European Championship finish in Germany, but the team that arrived with little reason for optimism left with something that cannot be read in statistics: respect.

Vincenzo Montella’s men bowed out in Saturday’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to the Netherlands after a late own goal, capping a string of high-octane performances that had made the Turks must-watch football as one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams.

“I look at the future with much more confidence and clarity,” Montella said. “My opinion after this European Championship is that Turkey will be seen with different eyes in the future, probably with more respect.”

Roared on by one of the largest and loudest fan bases, Turkey provided plenty of thrills, which Montella chalked up to more than simply tactics and game plans. Turkey’s rip-roaring run, he said, came because of his team’s spirit.

“Everyone gave a bit extra in terms of their soul,” Montella said after Turkey upended Austria in the last 16, firmly wresting the dark horse tag from the Austrians. “You can only win matches such as these if there is a soul within the squad.”

There was little reason for Turkey to be optimistic before the tournament kicked off. The Euro 2008 semi-finalists had failed to advance beyond the group stage of their previous two tournaments, and have not qualified for a World Cup since they finished third in 2002.

They played without suspended captain Hakan Calhanoglu against Austria, and missing Merih Demiral in the quarter-finals. Calhanoglu was a puddle of tears after Saturday’s loss.

“I’m proud of my team,” the Inter Milan midfielder said. “They played with great spirit, the Turkish spirit. We felt the love in spite of our defeat. The Turkish people loved us.”

Germany is home to some 3 million Turks or people with Turkish roots, making them the country’s largest ethnic minority, and their Euro matches felt like home games.

The tournament also introduced 19-year-old Arda Guler to the world. The Real Madrid attacking midfielder nicknamed the “Turkish Messi” made an unforgettable Euro debut when he launched a left-footed rocket from distance into the net in their opener against Georgia.

At 19 years and 114 days, he broke Cristiano Ronald’s record for youngest player to score on debut at the tournament. But more than that, Guler orchestrated Turkey’s midfield with a poise and maturity that belied his age.

Both of Demiral’s goals against Austria came from Guler corner kicks. It was fitting that Samet Akaydin’s header against the Dutch came from a smooth Guler cross.

“He played a great Euros,” Montella said. “He hasn’t played regularly at this level. He was born in 2005 - he’s not 20 yet. This experience will make him a far better player.”

Guler will still only be 27 when Turkey and Italy co-host the 2032 edition of the tournament.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Euro 2024 live - England news and analysis

Switzerland hailed as heroes after Euro 2024 exit

For a country that has become a permanent fixture in football’s major tournaments, Switzerland leave Euro 2024 anguished over what could have been, but with a new air of confidence over what the future holds.

While some top teams erred or muddled through the tournament, the underrated Swiss were among a handful of sides truly at their best in Euro 2024, exiting on penalties to an England team they could have beaten, and were once again denied their historic semi-final place.

In a unjust twist of fate, it was ever-dependable stalwart Manuel Akanji whose shootout miss cost the Swiss, but there was no blame on the Manchester City centre-back, whose leadership, composure and calming influence was pivotal in their march to their second-successive quarter-finals.

Switzerland came into Euro 2024 with considerable uncertainty, having scraped through from the easiest of groups after a haphazard qualifying campaign blighted by squandered points from goals leaked late in games to weak opponents.

Coach Murat Yakin bore the brunt of the fury, with angst among fans that he was kept on in the job after a dismal run.

But the decision to stick with him paid dividends, with Yakin praised for his astute tactics, inspired substitutions and for instilling confidence in his players to go toe-to-toe with big names and rattle some of the tournament’s top teams.

Facing a hostile home crowd in Frankfurt, they took an early lead against hosts Germany and held them off until the last seconds of the game to deny them a perfect group-stage record.

Switzerland then outclassed and outplayed a woeful Italy in the round of 16 with an early attacking onslaught and goals either side of halftime that left the holders stunned and incapable of a response.

Captain Granit Xhaka proved his worth and was as instrumental for the Swiss as he was in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph, winning player of the match twice, masking an injury with polished performances as a playmaker central to every Swiss attack.

Striker Breel Embolo returned from a long injury absence to deliver two important late goals, while Yakin’s surprise gamble on unheralded forward Dan N’Doye paid off, with the pacy newcomer bursting with energy and a menace in every game.

Switzerland scored eight goals in all, from seven different players, underlining their credentials as a tight-knit team much greater than the sum of its parts.

“Giant but defeated, Switzerland leaves the Euros”, said the French-language Tribune de Geneve, while an analysis in the Corriere del Ticino said “Close, once again: and yet we cry again”.

The Neue Zurcher Zeitung headlined with: “Switzerland misses its goal at the European Championships - but it’s a joy”.

The Swiss team won the hearts of the public back home and coach Yakin expressed deep pride over the performances and mindset of a gritty team he said played as a collective and has much to look forward to.

“The market value of our team in comparison to the others is massive,” Yakin said. “Eventually, we are eliminated, and it hurts.”

“We can be very proud about our tournament... from the first minute to the end, how we stood as one and the joy we gave to the nation.”

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Reuters7 July 2024 14:00