England Edge Out Switzerland in Penalty Shootout to Secure Semi-Final Spot

Jordan Pickford become the shootout hero as England kept their Euro 2024 goals alive through beating Switzerland on penalties to attain the semi-finals.

Three years on from being denied the continental crown on spot-kicks, they had to combat their demons from 12 yards to continue their quest to go one higher in Germany.

Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the sector-very last to greater-time and onto consequences after it ended 1-1, with the England big name converting to bury the ghosts of his Euro 2020 final omit.

But Pickford became the megastar as he stored Manuel Akanji’s penalty, with Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapping up a five-three triumph to spark bedlam in Dusseldorf and seal a semi-very last spot.

It changed into a dramatic quit to an edgy come across and England’s first shootout win on account that beating the Swiss within the Nations League 1/3-located play-off 5 years ago in Portugal.

Pickford became the hero then, simply as he changed into on Saturday night time as Gareth Southgate’s a hundredth fit ended with a victory that units up a Dortmund clash against Turkey or the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Switzerland caught with the equal side that knocked out holders Italy as Southgate made one enforced trade and a huge switch in device.

Ezri Konsa replaced suspended centre-lower back Marc Guehi and formed a part of a back three, with eyebrows raised at the choice to install Saka as proper wing-lower back in preference to on the alternative facet.

The tweaks left England a touch extra open, that means some early interventions from the likes of Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo had been required, but greater threatening on the ball.

Southgate’s facet made an encouraging start with crisper passing and higher urgent than preceding matches as Declan Rice and Mainoo noticed photographs blocked.

Phil Foden roamed more successfully and Jude Bellingham – cleared to play after making a gesture after scoring towards Slovakia – probed, with Saka giving Michel Aebischer a torrid time.

His energetic dart into the container simply earlier than the break led to Mainoo being denied by a exceptional Granit Xhaka address.

The 1/2 ended without stoppage time or a shot on target from either facet however within six mins of the restart Embolo were given a shot on Jordan Pickford’s goal.

The Swiss striker noticed a headed attempt blocked by means of Konsa as Murat Yakin’s stepped forward side threatened with accelerated regularity as they attacked their bouncing sea of pink.

England fans turned up the extent in reaction, simplest to be silenced in the 75th minute.

A clever Swiss passing circulate noticed Newcastle’s Fabian Schar slip in Dan Ndoye to send a low go that John Stones ought to simplest assist onto the a long way post, in which Embolo held off Kyle Walker to attain.

The England boss straight away brought on Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Luke Shaw – making his first look in view that mid-February – after a goal rocked that England however did not shake their spirit.

Just 5 mins after falling in the back of, Saka with a bit of luck cut in from the proper and arrowed a low left-footed shot from the edge of the box that beat Yann Sommer, coming off the interior of the a long way publish, and sparked celebrations across the land.

The feeling changed into as lots of alleviation as joy but there was nevertheless an worrying second as a brilliant Schar go turned into taken off the top of Ndoye by means of Embolo with an open intention gaping.

Rice went agonisingly close to putting England beforehand 5 mins into the primary duration of more time, hitting a awesome 25-yarder that Sommer tipped extensive.