England advanced to their third semi-final in four tournaments when Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the decisive goal to give them a penalty shoot-out victory over Swissafter both teams tied 1-1 in a tense quarter-final match of the Eurocup 2024 held this Saturday in Düsseldorf. It was the third quarterfinal game that required overtime or penalty kicks.
Alexander-Arnold, omitted from the starting line-up after two disappointing group stage performances, came on in the dying minutes of extra time to claim glory after Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s shot. It was the third successive quarter-final to go to extra time, with two of those decided on penalties.
Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead in the 75th minute and Bukayo Saka equalised five minutes later in a game of few chances.
The first 45 minutes did not excite the fans too much, although England looked somewhat better than in their last two games.
Saka got to the byline three times but each time his poor cut-back went straight at a defender, and when he found a white shirt just before the break, Kobbie Mainoo’s shot was superbly blocked by Granit Xhaka.
Despite their relative improvement, the English did not mount any clear attacks, but neither did the Swiss, who were kept at bay with reasonable ease by a well-equipped British defence.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin brought on Steven Zuber and Silvan Widmer in the 60th minute, while England manager Gareth Southgate made no changes.
The Swiss took the lead in the 75th minute when Dan Ndoye sent a low cross wide from the right and Breel Embolo stretched in front of Kyle Walker to score.
Southgate responded by immediately bringing on Cole Palmer, Luke Shaw and Eberechi Eze, and five minutes later England were level when Saka cut in from the right flank and fired a brilliant left-footed shot from 20 metres in off the far post.
The best chance of extra time fell to England’s Declan Rice, whose shot from the edge of the area was brilliantly saved by Yann Sommer, while Xherdan Shaqiri hit the post from a corner.
Switzerland had lost three of their four penalty shoot-outs at major tournaments, while England’s uncomfortable record was seven defeats and two wins.
The score is now 7-3 after Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka (who missed the penalty shoot-out in the Euro 2020 final against Italy) and Ivan Toney all scored before Alexander-Arnold’s turn.
Source: Ambito
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