Breaking: England qualify for Euro 2024 semi-finals after perfect penalty shootout win over Switzerland
England fought back from a goal down to beat Switzerland on penalties in the third Euro 2024 quarter-final in Dusseldorf on Saturday (July 6), with three substitutes scoring in the shootout. The Three Lions fell behind to a Breel Embolo 75th-minute strike.
However, with manager Gareth Southgate making a triple substitution - bringing on Luke Shaw, Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze - the Three Lions weren't behind for too long. Bukayo Saka produced a fine finish in the 80h minute to force extra time.
Although captain Harry Kane was subbed off due to injury, replaced by Ivan Toney, the Three Lions produced a confident shootout. Palmer opened the scoring for Southgate's side. Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji's weak effort, and Jude Bellingham duly made it 2-0 for the Three Lions.
Fabian Schar opened the Swiss' account in the shootout before Saka exorcised his demons from the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy on penalties with a confident effort to make it 3-1.
Substitute Ivan Toney made it 4-2 after Xherdan Shaqiri had scored for the Swiss. Zeki Amdouni kept the Swiss in the shootout before substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold's brilliant effort put the Three Lions into the semi-final, where the winner of the fourth quarter-final between the Netherlands and Turkey await.
"All five penalties from us were great" - Trent Alexander-Arnold after England's Euro 2024 QF win over Switzerland
Trent Alexander-Arnold was a surprise exclusion as England boss Gareth Southgate named his XI for the Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland. However, the Liverpool man would play a key role in his team's passage to the last-four.
Coming on in extra time with penatlies looming, Alexander-Arnold stepped up for Three Lions after four successful penalties. The right-back made no mistake as he blasted his effort to the top right, with Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer diving the other way.
A delighted Alexander-Arnold told BBC One that the team had practised penalties, which was evident in their perfect shootout, elaborating:
"Incredible, these are the goals that we set for ourselves. Difficult opponent going behind and the team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit out there. We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what we win - that is all that matters to us."
"It is what we have practiced. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it - I knew I had to just execute it. All five penalties from us were great."
England will play the second Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday (July 10) in Dortmund as they look to reach back-to-back European Championship finals, hoping to end a 58-year major title drought.