“He’s so different to everyone else” - Rio Ferdinand names ‘most important’ England player after Euro 2024 quarter-final win
Rio Ferdinand has hailed England winger Bukayo Saka as the Three Lions' most important player after he scored in their EURO 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland. The goal was a moment of magic that came at an opportune moment, beating goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who was rooted to the spot.
After a first half that saw both sides squander their very rare chances, Breel Embolo opened the scoring for the Swiss with 75 minutes on the clock. It looked as though the Three Lions were headed out, but it was Saka who saved them just five minutes later.
The Arsenal winger brought the ball onto his left foot, coming in from the right flank, before unleashing a low curler into the bottom corner from just outside the area. This pushed the game into extra time, and eventually, the Three Lions won on penalties, pushing themselves into the EURO 2024 semi-finals.
This led Rio Ferdinand to reserve praise for Bukayo Saka, as he told BBC after England had won (via Mirror):
“Everything about him just comes across as being so positive. You can’t help but love him, not only for his football but his personality and the character he’s shown [since Euro 2020].
“He’s arguably the most important England player. He’s so different to everyone else. He’s the one who runs at people one vs one, and goes behind. Today he played wing-back. He’s so direct. So talented.”
Saka has been a shining light for Arsenal, with his impressive performances for his club helping to cement his place in the Three Lions squad. Last season, he played 47 games, scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists for the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka speaks about emotional heartache of EURO 2020 after helping England reach semi-finals of EURO 2024
In 2021, England reached the final of the EUROs, but they faced Italy, who dealt them a strong blow during the penalty shootout. The resulting loss led to Saka and several other players getting to the end of racist abuse.
However, the Arsenal winger has been able to turn things around with his effort to secure the equalizer and win the penalty shootout in the EURO 2024 quarter-finals. After the game, he said (via Mirror):
"I am going to put it up there, special. How we fought back and to go to penalties. Last time we took at penalty shootout at the Euros we know what happened. I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it - I am proud of myself for that."
The forward will be hoping he can be just as instrumental when the Three Lions face the Netherlands in the semi-finals of EURO 2024.