Jordan Pickford was the hero as England needed penalties to overcome Switzerland and book their place in the next round of Euro 2024.
They rarely do it the easy way, and it took another late show as they made it to their second consecutive European Championship semi-final.
They went behind with just 15 minutes to go when Breel Embolo was able to tap from home close range after Fabian Schar’s cross deflected off John Stones.
But just as they did against Slovakia, England refused to stay down equalising 10 minutes from time, through the ever-impressive Bukayo Saka’s curling effort.
Extra-time was a nervy affair as Switzerland came close to breaking the deadlock through a Xherdan Shaqiri penalty that hit the corner of the post and the crossbar.
Jordan Pickford saved from Manuel Akanji to help England progress to the semi-finals of Euro 2024
Breel Embolo was able to hold off Kyle Walker as he bundled home from close range
Bukayo Saka hauled England level with a fantastic curling strike
It had been another scrappy game like the 4 that had come before in England’s tournament.
But Gareth Southgate‘s side looked more dynamic in the first-half, Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka able to get in behind on more than one occasion.
Yet they had been plagued by the same issues throughout the tournament, the attack lacked cohesion.
When Saka was able to get to the byline and cut the ball back into the six-yard box, there was no one on hand to finish.
And that happened on more than one occasion as the 22-year-old had the beating of his man Michel Aebischer.
Things went from bad to worse and the Three Lions looked like they were heading out when Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead.
The goal kept in the theme of the game as Embolo found himself on the end of a cross deflected by the studs of Manchester City’s Stones.
Akanji was the only player to miss a penalty during the shootout
With Kyle Walker caught the wrong side, there wasn’t much he could do as Embolo bundled the ball into the back of the net from no more than three yards out.
It sparked Southgate into life as he made three changes, bringin on Luke Shaw, Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer for Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo and Kieran Trippier.
Before those changes had a chance to really take effect, the dangerous right winger Saka had levelled.
He was afforded the time and space to cut inside on his favoured left foot and he curled an effort off the inside of the far post to bring England level.
Eyebrows may have been raised when Harry Kane was taken off for Ivan Toney as penalties loomed given the England captain’s impressive penalty record.
Cole Palmer showed incredible poise as he took the opening spot kick for England to give them the lead
Jude Bellingham pressed home England’s advantage after Akanji had his penalty had been saved
Saka capped off a fine performance that included a goal by sending Yann Sommer the wrong way, rolling the ball into the opposite corner
Brentford fans would have been familiar with Ivan Toney’s penalty style as he stared down Sommer before smashing the ball beyond the Swiss goalkeeper
Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapped up the tie smashing the fith and final penalty into the top left-hand corner
However, if there is one thing this England side boasts it is an abundance of capable penalty takers and that was the difference here.
Cole Palmer had scored all of ten of his spot kicks this season, Bukayo Saka has become a seasond penalty taker and Ivan Toney boasts such an impressive record it was almost an embarrassment of riches for Gareth Southgate.
Jordan Pickford also helped set the tone, his save from Manuel Akanji’s penatly cemented the advantage of taking the first penalty after Palmer put his penalty away comfortably.
England were perfect and Switzerland didn’t miss again bubt it was the opening exchange that proved pivotal.
The Three Lions are now one step closer to ending the men’s team’s run without a major tournament trophy.
They now await the winner of the Netherlands vs Turkey in the semi-final.