England finally enjoyed some penalty shoot-out joy to advance into the semi-final of Euro 2024 after a dramatic win over Switzerland.
Bukayo Saka scored a stunning equaliser five minutes after Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead in the second half. Gareth Southgate’s side have now won two shoot-outs during his time in charge of the Three Lions and they now will face either Netherlands or Turkey next.
England have reached the semi-finals of a major tournament for the third time in four attempts under Gareth Southgate, beating Switzerland on penalties on a tense afternoon in Dusseldorf.
It was left to penalties to decide the match. Manuel Akanji saw his penalty saved by Jordan Pickford, which allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold to score England’s fifth penalty in the shootout and settle the contest.
Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead with 15 minutes to go in normal time, before a low, long-range drive from Bukayo Saka drew the game level five minutes later.
The match was a stalemate throughout, with few chances created by either side. In the extra-time period Xherdan Shaqiri almost scored directly from a corner, hitting the angle of post and bar.
England will now face the winner of Netherlands and Turkey, in a semi-final Dortmund on Wednesday night.
