England v Switzerland LIVE: Result and reaction, Alexander-Arnold settles penalty shootout as Three Lions reach Euro 2024 semi-finals | OneFootball

✕

Close

Rio Ferdinand says England can win Euro 2024 'playing ugly'

England advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a gripping tie with Switzerland in Dusseldorf.

Gareth Southgate’s side squeezed past a defiant Slovakia team last week but were forced to dig deep here after Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead.

But Bukayo Saka’s curler dragged the Three Lions level in a thrilling match as both sides pushed for a winner before settling for extra-time.

And England were perfect in the shootout as Trent Alexander-Arnold struck the decisive kick to book a semi-final next Wednesday in Dortmund.

Show latest update

Bukayo Saka moves past England heartbreak to become heartbeat of Euro 2024 team

As Bukayo Saka stepped up for the penalty against Switzerland, a lot of the England football team staff were conscious of the weight on his shoulders. Some tried not to mention it, but it did hang there. He’d taken many for Arsenal in response to that Euro 2020 miss, but it was nothing like this.

“I know there’s a lot of nervous people watching, like my family…” Saka himself said afterwards. That’s enough of a thought to flash through your mind in itself.

He wasn’t thinking of any of it in the moment, though. It was also why Gareth Southgate and the England staff were fully confident in him. They’d gone through so many preparation processes as a group. There was also Saka’s individual character – and quality. They didn’t need to mention it, because they knew he was ready.

“It is something I embrace,” Saka said. “You fail once, but I’m the sort of guy who wants to put myself in that position again.” He learned from experience, and excelled. “I kept my cool and scored my penalty.”

Bukayo Saka moves past heartbreak to become heartbeat of England team

After missing his penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout, Saka struck perfectly against Switzerland – having already saved his nation in normal time

Miguel Delaney in Dusseldorf 7 July 2024 07:45