England’s Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Switzerland at the Euro 2024 quarter-final stage. Photo / Getty Images
England win on penalties.
For a long time it was a rarely said phrase. But under Gareth Southgate’s reign as England coach they’ve done it again.
England defeated Switzerland in a Euro 2024 quarter-final shoot-out in Dusseldorf this morning after goalie Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s first attempt. England converted all five attempts with Trent Alexander-Arnold smashing home the winning kick.
England broke their long-standing penalty drought at the 2018 World Cup against Colombia but heading into the knockout round in Germany held a 1-5 record in penalties at the European Championship, their only successful shoot-out coming against Spain in 1996.
Switzerland took the lead in normal time when Breel Embolo pounced inside the box in the 75th minute. But Bukayo Saka responded five minutes later with an equaliser from outside the box.