England advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a gripping tie with Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
Gareth Southgate’s side squeezed past a defiant Slovakia team last week but were forced to dig deep here after Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead.
But Bukayo Saka’s curler dragged the Three Lions level in a thrilling match as both sides pushed for a winner before settling for extra-time.
And England were perfect in the shootout as Trent Alexander-Arnold struck the decisive kick to book a semi-final next Wednesday in Dortmund.
Follow all the latest reaction from England v Switzerland in our live blog below:
Euro 2024: England v Switzerland
-
Bukayo Saka moves past England heartbreak to become heartbeat of Euro 2024 team
-
England beat Switzerland on penalties to set up Netherlands semi-final
-
REPORT: Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
-
REACTION: Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes
-
RATINGS: Saka shines in dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final
England 6 – 4 Switzerland
Bukayo Saka moves past England heartbreak to become heartbeat of Euro 2024 team
07:45 , Miguel Delaney in Dusseldorf
As Bukayo Saka stepped up for the penalty against Switzerland, a lot of the England football team staff were conscious of the weight on his shoulders. Some tried not to mention it, but it did hang there. He’d taken many for Arsenal in response to that Euro 2020 miss, but it was nothing like this.
“I know there’s a lot of nervous people watching, like my family…” Saka himself said afterwards. That’s enough of a thought to flash through your mind in itself.
He wasn’t thinking of any of it in the moment, though. It was also why Gareth Southgate and the England staff were fully confident in him. They’d gone through so many preparation processes as a group. There was also Saka’s individual character – and quality. They didn’t need to mention it, because they knew he was ready.
“It is something I embrace,” Saka said. “You fail once, but I’m the sort of guy who wants to put myself in that position again.” He learned from experience, and excelled. “I kept my cool and scored my penalty.”
Bukayo Saka moves past heartbreak to become heartbeat of England team
Gareth Southgate after guiding England to Euro 2024 semi-final
09:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate: “Every now and then you think ‘surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job.
“So, if I can’t enjoy that moment then the whole thing is a waste of time. I love the players. I love being in that moment with them.
“I took this job to try and improve English football, not the seniors when I first joined the Football Association. I wanted us to regain credibility on the world stage.
“So, I can’t deny that when it is as personal as it has been in the past few weeks, on a human level that is quite difficult.
“But we are fighting, we won’t stop fighting and we’re in another semi-final and we’ll see where we can get to.”
Gareth Southgate opens up on ‘personal’ attacks after guiding England to Euro 2024 semi-final
09:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Gareth Southgate lauded England’s streetwise spot-kick heroes after reaching the Euro 2024 semi-finals and heaped special praise on Bukayo Saka for exorcising his penalty demons against Switzerland.
The manager also admitted some of the “personal” criticism of his management had been “difficult” to take, after sections of the media including former England players took aim at his coaching skills.
Having stumbled through the group stage and secured a dramatic extra-time triumph against Slovakia in the round of 16, Saturday’s edgy quarter-final was decided on penalties in Dusseldorf.
Star man Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to make it 1-1, taking the match to extra time and eventually onto spot-kicks.
Gareth Southgate opens up on ‘personal’ attacks after guiding England to semi-finals
When are the Euro 2024 semi-finals? Dates, kick-off times and fixture schedule
08:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Euro 2024 nears its finale after the last eight teams were whittled down to four ahead of the semi-finals.
Germany, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey all fell at the quarter-final stage, as Spain set up a mouth-watering clash with France and England squeezed through to face Netherlands.
The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday night, before Sunday’s final in Berlin.
Here is the full fixture schedule for the Euro 2024 knockout stages:
Euro 2024 semi-final fixtures, dates and kick-off times
England’s record on penalties following shootout win against Switzerland
08:00 , Mike Jones
England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after seeing off Switzerland in a penalty shootout.
Jordan Pickford was the star as he saved Manuel Akanji’s penalty, with Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapping up a 5-3 triumph to spark bedlam in Dusseldorf after a 1-1 draw.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the Three Lions’ shootout record at previous major tournaments:
England’s record on penalties following shootout win against Switzerland
Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand explain ‘the difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
07:00 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate was lauded by BBC pundits for changing England’s formation and getting the best out of Phil Foden during their Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.
Southgate decided to deploy wing-backs for the first time in two years in an effort to match up Switzerland’s 3-4-3 system, and the decision proved fruitful as England smothered their opponents’ build-up from the back and forced some sloppy mistakes.
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden played in central No 10 roles behind Harry Kane and Foden in particular was influential in England’s best attacking moments of a first half which ended 0-0.
Lampard and Ferdinand explain ‘difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
06:00 , Mike Jones
England made it difficult again, but Gareth Southgate’s side are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a penalty-shootout victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
After England barely navigated their last-16 tie with Slovakia, requiring an added-time overhead kick from Jude Bellingham and extra-time goal from Harry Kane, attention turned to Switzerland on Saturday (6 July).
And the Three Lions fell behind in Dusseldorf, just as they did in their previous knockout game, as Breel Embolo stabbed home from close range with 15 minutes left in normal time.
What is England’s route to the final of Euro 2024?
Jordan Pickford’s secret penalty cheat sheet revealed after England sink Switzerland at Euro 2024
05:00 , Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford used a secret sheet of notes taped to a drinks bottle to help England triumph over Switzerland in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.
The match finished 1-1 at full-time after Breel Embolo’s second-half goal was soon matched by Bukayo Saka’s trademark finish, and it stayed that way through extra time. But England put together a perfect penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks to progress to the semi-finals.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold converted the winning kick, after Pickford had saved Switzerland’s first penalty from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
Jordan Pickford’s secret penalty cheat sheet revealed after England sink Switzerland
England’s quarter-final reaction gives Gareth Southgate an exciting answer for the future
04:00 , Mike Jones
Another game for England without entertaining the masses, but another step closer to the Euro 2024 final – and perhaps another hint as to where the future lies, whether that comes during this tournament or not.
Not from another one-paced, uninventive display. Not with the supposed tactical shift either, which did little to change the speed of England’s play or the way they constantly checked inside to play safe and create too little. But if the original 90 minutes didn’t contain sufficient drama, their second late equaliser in as many matches and a subsequent penalty shootout victory perhaps offered just enough.
Instead, the big positives for England to take might be from what they didn’t do to start with: the changes made, the introductions of personnel and pace, the ability they clearly possess to alter their approach in important stages of games.
England reaction gives Southgate an exciting answer for the future
Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and more battle to be top scorer
03:00 , Mike Jones
Europe’s best strikers are vying for individual honours as well as team success as they aim to top the scoring charts at Euro 2024.
The quadrennial continental tournament is currently taking place in Germany with many of the world’s top marksmen on show and battling it out for the Golden Boot.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the leading scorer in competition history with five goals at Euro 2020 taking his overall aggregate to 14 and sealing the Golden Boot in the process, as his assist saw him edge the comparatively unheralded Patrik Schick of the Czech Republic, who also netted on five occasions during the tournament.
Euro 2024 Golden Boot standings: Kane, Gakpo and more in contention
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
02:00 , Mike Jones
It isn’t always convincing, it is often confusing, but the results are as clear as Bukayo Saka’s shot: England are in Gareth Southgate’s third major semi-final after a shootout victory over Switzerland. They are now two games from glory, even if the football doesn’t always evoke that feeling.
That won’t matter to the team and it often doesn’t matter to a tournament. England have found a way. Through that, Gareth Southgate may have found a team. The introduction of Luke Shaw may end up as influential as anything else in this tournament, with a game that required others to make the difference.
Above all was Saka, who rescued England with a piece of individual brilliance, and then continued to bury the memory of Euro 2020 with another supreme penalty. Next was Jordan Pickford, who made the fateful save from Manuel Akanji. That ended up being all that was required, as all of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold slotted home with minimum fuss, and maximum precision.
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes after Euro 2024 quarter-final victory
01:00 , Mike Jones
England’s former players hailed the courage and execution of the current generation after Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squeezed past Switzerland on penalties and into the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The match finished 1-1 at full-time after Breel Embolo’s second-half goal was soon matched by Bukayo Saka’s trademark finish, and it stayed that way through extra time. But England put together a perfect penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted the winning kick, after Jordan Pickford had saved Switzerland’s first penalty from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes
England’s player of the match Bukayo Saka speaking to BBC One:
Sunday 7 July 2024 00:00 , Mike Jones
“I am going to put it up there, special. How we fought back and to go to penalties. Last time we took at penalty shootout at the Euros we know what happened. I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it – I am proud of myself for that.
“I have faith in God. To comeback from something like that [missing a penalty in Euro 2020 final] is really difficult, today I took the chance.
“I think it shows how much we want to win this tournament. Hopefully, next game we can win in 90-minutes but if this is what it takes – we will do anything!”
Reaction from Trent Alexander-Arnold
Saturday 6 July 2024 23:45 , Mike Jones
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking to BBC One after England’s win: “Incredible, these are the goals that we set for ourselves. Difficult opponent going behind and the team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit out there.
“We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what we win – that is all that matters to us.
“It is what we have practiced [penalties]. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it – I knew I had to just execute it.
“All five penalties from us were great.”
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 23:30 , Mike Jones
It can’t have been easy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He started in the line-up for the first couple of Euro 2024 matches but was dropped as England searched for more balance. He came on very, very late in the game and was asked to score the most crucial of penalties.
Nerves of steel from the Liverpool man to send England into the final four.
Celebrations erupt as England reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
Saturday 6 July 2024 23:15 , Mike Jones
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell celebrate England Euro 2024 quarter-final win
Saturday 6 July 2024 23:00 , Mike Jones
This is the moment Lewis Hamilton and George Russell celebrated England winning their quarter-final match against Switzerland today (Saturday 6 July).
A video posted to the Mercedes Formula 1 TikTok shows the racing drivers watching the game on large screens with fans behind them.
The pair clap and smile as the crowds behind them erupt into cheers as England win in the penalty shoot-out.
They also had their own achievements to celebrate, as Russell is set to lead Sunday’s race at Silverstone after finishing first in qualifying, with Hamilton starting behind him.
Frank Lampard speaking on BBC One:
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:50 , Mike Jones
“Gareth Southgate deserves a lot of credit. There was a lot of pressure on and he has made a lot of serious calls, the in-game subs worked.”
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka reacts to England defeat:
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:40 , Mike Jones
“The initial feeling is one of sadness and disappointment, because we didn’t deserve to lose like this. On the other hand, we can be proud of ourselves.
“From the first game until today, we kept improving and we showed great character, great team spirit and we always told ourselves ‘to beat us, it will take a lot’. “
Switzerland forward, Xherdan Shaqiri:
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:30 , Mike Jones
“It was a great game from both sides. We went in front but England played better than their previous games. In the end, it’s 1-1 and it went to penalties, which are always 50/50. England showed better nerves today, and they won.”
England’s quarter-final reaction gives Gareth Southgate an exciting answer for the future
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:20 , Mike Jones
Another game for England without entertaining the masses, but another step closer to the Euro 2024 final – and perhaps another hint as to where the future lies, whether that comes during this tournament or not.
Not from another one-paced, uninventive display. Not with the supposed tactical shift either, which did little to change the speed of England’s play or the way they constantly checked inside to play safe and create too little. But if the original 90 minutes didn’t contain sufficient drama, their second late equaliser in as many matches and a subsequent penalty shootout victory perhaps offered just enough.
Instead, the big positives for England to take might be from what they didn’t do to start with: the changes made, the introductions of personnel and pace, the ability they clearly possess to alter their approach in important stages of games
England reaction gives Southgate an exciting answer for the future
England manager Gareth Southgate, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:10 , Mike Jones
“I am so proud of the players. I thought we played well. We had to defend extremely well as a team. We caused them problems with the way we used the ball. We had a big threat with Bukayo down the right for the whole game.
“We were happy with the performance and then you go behind and you have to show other characteristics. The players showed their resilience, desire and character and forced their way back into the game.
“Extra-time could have gone either way and excellent composure to score all the penalties.”
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin:
Saturday 6 July 2024 22:00 , Mike Jones
“It hurts. We put so much effort in, created so many chances. I’m sad for the lads, and for the nation. England didn’t have many chances and we created quite a few of our own. We don’t deserve to be going home but we can be really proud.
“We don’t need to hide any more. We were eliminated because it wasn’t quite enough today. A penalty shoot-out is a matter of luck and we didn’t have it. We have caused the big teams a lot of problems so we exit with our heads held high.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:55 , Mike Jones
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:50 , Mike Jones
England have reached the European Championship semi-finals in consecutive tournaments for the first time. Indeed, since the group stage was introduced in 1980, the Three Lions had only got to that stage once before the appointment of Gareth Southgate – doing so at Euro 96 with Southgate playing in every game that tournament.
Micah Richards praises ‘delightful’ Foden after improved England performance against Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:45 , Mike Jones
Micah Richards praised “delightful” Phil Foden following a much-improved England performance against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Southgate appeared to shift to a three-man defence for the clash on Saturday.
Speaking prior to the match, Foden said: “Let’s see if it works, I am looking forward to it. For me, I’ll be more centrally and staying inside. I think it will suit me a little bit better today.”
Southgate’s team were praised by BBC Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand during their half-time analysis.
Richards said: “It’s been delightful to see Foden in a position where he can have an impact on the game.”
Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand explain ‘the difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:40 , Mike Jones
Gareth Southgate was lauded by BBC pundits for changing England’s formation and getting the best out of Phil Foden during their Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.
Southgate decided to deploy wing-backs for the first time in two years in an effort to match up Switzerland’s 3-4-3 system, and the decision proved fruitful as England smothered their opponents’ build-up from the back and forced some sloppy mistakes.
Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden played in central No 10 roles behind Harry Kane and Foden in particular was influential in England’s best attacking moments of a first half which ended 0-0.
Lampard and Ferdinand explain ‘difference’ behind England’s Euro 2024 improvement
More from Bellingham:
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:36 , Mike Jones
“These moments are even more special or only special if you go on to win the next game and hopefully win the tournament. It’s moments like these that you look back on and make it even more worth it. It all becomes worth it if you can back it up and that’s what we have to do in the next few days.”
Here’s Jude Bellingham giving his thoughts on the game:
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:32 , Mike Jones
“All in all it’s probably our best performance of the tournament. We’ve very proud of the boys. The things you can’t always measure and see is character and mentality and we showed that again in the shootout. For subs to come on and take a penalty in that pressure is a special, special thing.
“I do the practice like all the other lads and I have my process. I rely on the practice I do. Sometimes you can step up and miss. I always think there’s a comfort when you’re following a process you’ve come to terms with.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:28 , Mike Jones
England have won just four penalty shootouts in their history but two of them have come against Switzerland, in 2019 in the Uefa Nations League and tonight.
Bukayo Saka says penalty pressure is ‘something I embrace’ after England beat Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:24 , Mike Jones
Bukayo Saka laid his Euro 2020 demons to rest by netting one of England’s five successful spot-kick in the Three Lions’ penalty win against Switzerland.
Speaking after England sealed a quarter-final place in Euro 2024 on Saturday (6 July), the right-winger said: “For me, it’s something I embrace.
“You can fail once, but you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position or not again. I am a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself and when I saw the ball hit the net I was a very happy man.”
Will Shaw start in the semi-final?
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:20 , Mike Jones
Frank Lampard said on BBC One: “If Luke Shaw is fit, he starts. He’s Gareth’s man. If he is fit, I would play him for the balance of the team.”
Jordan Pickford’s secret penalty cheat sheet revealed after England sink Switzerland at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:16 , Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford used a secret sheet of notes taped to a drinks bottle to help England triumph over Switzerland in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.
The match finished 1-1 at full-time after Breel Embolo’s second-half goal was soon matched by Bukayo Saka’s trademark finish, and it stayed that way through extra time. But England put together a perfect penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks to progress to the semi-finals.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold converted the winning kick, after Pickford had saved Switzerland’s first penalty from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
Jordan Pickford’s secret penalty cheat sheet revealed after England sink Switzerland
England captain Harry Kane speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:12 , Mike Jones
“That’s tournament football for you. You have to find a way. When you look at past champions in competitions, they have to go through penalty shootouts. It comes down to moments. For Saka to step up and score that goal was special for him. I was weirdly calm during penalties. We have a lot more players that take them for their club. I know they are comfortable and know Pickford normally saves one.
“I think penalty shootouts are the highest pressure you will feel as a professional footballer. But for him [Sak] to step up like he did after the tough time he had been through [in 2020]. I am really proud of him and proud of everyone. There is one week left. We will see how far we can go.”
Southgate on how far England can go:
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:08 , Mike Jones
“That’s the challenge now. We played well against a very good team. You have to be spot-on defensively. I thought our pressure was good, we used the ball far better than we have done all tournament.
“There are signs of growth. Tournaments aren’t just about playing well, it’s all the other attributes of a good team.”
Gary Lineker’s ‘embarrassing’ moment celebrating England Euro 2024 win caught on camera
Saturday 6 July 2024 21:04 , Mike Jones
Gary Lineker’s “embarrassing” moment celebrating England’s Euro 2024 win against Switzerland om Saturday (6 July) was caught on camera.
The BBC Match of the Day host was celebrating England’s penalty win with fellow pundits Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards, when he made an unfortunate slip up.
Showing the celebrations of fans across the country, Lineker said: “Here is my embarrassing moment.”
The pundits can be seen jumping to their feet and celebrating when suddenly the sound cuts out. Lineker is asked: “Where is the sound?”
He replies: “I think I dropped the ‘f’ bomb.”
Saka reacts to quarter-final win:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:59 , Mike Jones
“Obviously for myself, I believe we have some of the best takers in the Premier League and the world, if it did come to penalties we would be confident – we showed that today.
“For me, it is something I embrace – you can fail once and you have a choice if you are going to put yourself in that position again, I believed in myself and when the ball hit the net I was a very happy man
“I am not going to be focused on the past, that is done, I can only focus on now. I know there were a lot of nervous people watching, my family included, but I kept my cool.
“There are two more games, we can change our lives and make history – we are going to watch the game and see who we are facing.”
Southgate on Saka:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:55 , Mike Jones
“He’s a dream to work with, he’s a fabulous boy, such a good professional, so much fun to be around. Does an amazing job with and without the ball.
“They’ve all had to go in there and they’re young players in extreme pressure situations but we felt with the players we had on the pitch they were the best to take the penalties.”
More from Southgate:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:52 , Mike Jones
“We have done a lot of work on it. We’ve won three out of four shootouts now.
“In the end the players have to do it and deliver. For players to come into the game and do what they did, for someone like Bukayo having been what he’s been through to go through that pressure [is great].”
England boss Gareth Southgate, speaking to BBC One:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:49 , Mike Jones
“I thought the players were brilliant, it is the best we have played. To come from behind and shown character and resilience we did… it isn’t just about playing well.
“It was so brave from Bukayo, he is one of our best and we were never in question he would take one. But we all knew what he went through.
“Huge performance, huge result and we are still in it. We had to be tactically spot on. We are in a third semi-final and it says a lot about the whole group. I thought we had good control.”
Moment Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon match stopped as crowd celebrates England reaching Euro 2024 semi-finals
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:46 , Mike Jones
This is the moment Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon match was stopped as the crowd celebrated England reaching the semi-finals of Euro 202.
The Three Lions beat Switzerland on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Germany on Saturday (6 July).
Back in the UK, Djokovic was getting ready to receive serve in his first set against Alexei Popyri on the Wimbledon Centre Court, when the crowd erupted into cheers, upon hearing England had won their knock-out match.
The commentator said: “We are just going to have to take a pause for the moment.”
Here’s some words from Harry Kane:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:42 , Mike Jones
England captain, Kane, told BBC One: “Another tough game and first of all great resilience from the lads to turn it up again. To get the goal, a fantastic finish from Bukayo Saka. Penalties are penalties, but I felt prepared – I was on the side, but I felt comfortable in the lads.
“Five out of five and a save from Picks [Jordan Pickford]!
“We trust in whoever is on the pitch and the difference this year compared to past years is we have proven penalty takers – we have a lot more experience and we showed it out there.”
England’s record on penalties following shootout win against Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:39 , Mike Jones
England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after seeing off Switzerland in a penalty shootout.
Jordan Pickford was the star as he saved Manuel Akanji’s penalty, with Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapping up a 5-3 triumph to spark bedlam in Dusseldorf after a 1-1 draw.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the Three Lions’ shootout record at previous major tournaments:
England’s record on penalties following shootout win against Switzerland
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:35 , Mike Jones
Some thoughts from Micah Richards who said: “We want to talk positive about England. We are on the front foot and everyone seems together – that is important.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:32 , Mike Jones
Bukayo Saka successfully dribbled past Michel Aebischer four times in the first half, the most one player has beaten another in a single match at Euro 2024.
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:29 , Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford has saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments, twice as many as all other England goalkeepers combined saved between 1990 and 2012 (2 out of 36).
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:26 , Mike Jones
Former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“England trusted Trent Alexander-Arnold in that moment, to take the fifth penalty. He almost took all of the anger out from what he’s experienced at the tournament in that spot-kick.
“The deep breath he took between the referee blowing his whistle and taking the penalty made the whole stadium stop still, and he had that moment for him to set himself and finish.”
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:23 , Mike Jones
England scored all five of their penalties against Switzerland, just the second time in 10 major tournament shootouts that England have scored 100% of their penalties, also doing so at Euro 96 vs Spain (4/4).
England’s player of the match Bukayo Saka speaking to BBC One:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:20 , Mike Jones
“I am going to put it up there, special. How we fought back and to go to penalties. Last time we took at penalty shootout at the Euros we know what happened. I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it – I am proud of myself for that.
“I have faith in God. To comeback from something like that [missing a penalty in Euro 2020 final] is really difficult, today I took the chance.
“I think it shows how much we want to win this tournament. Hopefully, next game we can win in 90-minutes but if this is what it takes – we will do anything!”
Reaction from Rio Ferdinand:
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:17 , Mike Jones
“We’ve been crying out as a nation for a performance we can be proud of. Today wasn’t perfect but it was such an improvement. Then it was nerves of steel when it mattered. I had no doubt in my mind.”
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes after Euro 2024 quarter-final victory
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:14 , Mike Jones
England’s former players hailed the courage and execution of the current generation after Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squeezed past Switzerland on penalties and into the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The match finished 1-1 at full-time after Breel Embolo’s second-half goal was soon matched by Bukayo Saka’s trademark finish, and it stayed that way through extra time. But England put together a perfect penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted the winning kick, after Jordan Pickford had saved Switzerland’s first penalty from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
‘Pressure is for tyres!’ Alan Shearer and ex-England players hail penalty heroes
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:13 , Mike Jones
It isn’t always convincing, it is often confusing, but the results are as clear as Bukayo Saka’s shot: England are in Gareth Southgate’s third major semi-final after a shootout victory over Switzerland. They are now two games from glory, even if the football doesn’t always evoke that feeling.
That won’t matter to the team and it often doesn’t matter to a tournament. England have found a way. Through that, Gareth Southgate may have found a team. The introduction of Luke Shaw may end up as influential as anything else in this tournament, with a game that required others to make the difference.
Above all was Saka, who rescued England with a piece of individual brilliance, and then continued to bury the memory of Euro 2020 with another supreme penalty. Next was Jordan Pickford, who made the fateful save from Manuel Akanji. That ended up being all that was required, as all of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold slotted home with minimum fuss, and maximum precision.
Bukayo Saka shows England a new way to stand two games from Euro 2024 glory
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:11 , Mike Jones
England advance to the semi-finals at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:10 , Mike Jones
England join Spain and France in the final four. They just need to know their opponents who will either be the Netherlands or Turkey.
The final quarter-final is taking place right now and you can follow it live right here:
Netherlands v Turkey LIVE: Latest score and goal updates from Euro 2024 quarter-final
More reaction from Trent Alexander-Arnold
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:08 , Mike Jones
Alexander-Arnold speaking to BBC One: “Incredible, these are the goals that we set for ourselves. Difficult opponent going behind and the team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit out there.
“We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what we win – that is all that matters to us.
“It is what we have practiced [penalties]. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it – I knew I had to just execute it.
“All five penalties from us were great.”
Prince William celebrates England equaliser against Switzerland in Euro 2024 quarter-final
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:04 , Mike Jones
Prince William jumped to his feet as he celebrated England’s equaliser against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
After a 0-0 first half, Switzerland grew into the game after the restart and broke the deadlock with 16 minutes to go as Breel Embolo was on hand to turn in Dan Ndoye’s low cross.
Southgate reacted immediately by bringing on Cole Palmer, Luke Shaw and Eberechi Eze but it was Bukayo Saka who quickly drew England level with a fine strike, cutting inside to fire home with England’s first shot on target.
England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages
Saturday 6 July 2024 20:00 , Mike Jones
England left it late, but Gareth Southgate’s side are through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a dramatic victory over Slovakia in the last-16.
Jude Bellingham saved England from an embarrassing defeat with a stunning last-minute overhead kick, before Harry Kane scored at the start of extra time to send the Three Lions through.
It was shaping up to be another nightmare evening in Gelsenkirchen but Southgate was vindicated for his lack of changes as his biggest stars finally arrived to turn defeat into victory.
What is England’s route to the final of Euro 2024?
England v Switzerland player ratings as Bukayo Saka shines in dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:56 , Mike Jones
England beat Switzerland on penalties in the third quarter-final at Euro 2024, in a nail-biting encounter in Dusseldorf.
The first half showed flashes of improvement from a slightly altered Three Lions line-up, and Gareth Southgate’s side dominated, but they were too often pedestrian as Switzerland looked comfortable in defence.
The second half started in the same way, but the Swiss turned the tables with a spell of dominance that later provoked a surprise goal, with Breel Embolo giving them the lead on the 75th minute.
England v Switzerland player ratings as Bukayo Saka shines in quarter-final
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:52 , Mike Jones
It can’t have been easy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He started in the line-up for the first couple of Euro 2024 matches but was dropped as England searched for more balance. He came on very, very late in the game and was asked to score the most crucial of penalties.
Nerves of steel from the Liverpool man.
England fans throw drinks in air as Saka scores equaliser against Switzerland at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:52 , Mike Jones
England fans erupted into celebration after Bukayo Saka equalised against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final today (Saturday 6 July).
The left-footed strike from the edge of the box equalised the score to 1-1, much to the joy of fans watching in London.
Where just moments before there had been total silence, drinks were thrown into the air and people were shouting with joy.
One man even tried to crowd-surf, but his fellow fans seemed to be just too caught up in their own relief and celebration to properly notice.
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:48 , Mike Jones
A bit of insight from Trent Alexander-Arnold, England’s matchwinner, who said: “Incredible. These are the goals we set for ourselves. Again going behind the team showed a lot of character and dug deep when it mattered the most.
“We knew we were never going to run away with the game though that would have been nice.”
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:47 , Mike Jones
Alan Shearer reacting on BBC One: “They can still do better, they can still do more but they’re through and that’s the most important thing.
“Big players produce in big moments and they’ve done that tonight.”
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:45 , Mike Jones
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:42 , Mike Jones
It’s heart breaking for Switzerland who played beautifully today and were on top in the closing stages of extra-time. The England fans are singing away inside the stadium.
They’ll be hanging around Germany for a while longer.
England defeat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach semi-finals of Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:41 , Mike Jones
Five out of five for England. A save from Jordan Pickford. The Three Lions go on, they’re into another major tournament semi-final under Gareth Southgate.
Penalties: England 5-3 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:40 , Mike Jones
Trent Alexander-Arnold has this kick to win the shootout for England. He takes his time, composes himself…
… scores! Smashes it into the back of the net!
Penalties: England 4-3 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:39 , Mike Jones
Zeki Amdouni hasn’t been on the pitch for long and now he needs to score. Pickford jumps around so Amdouni goes down the middle.
Penalties: England 4-2 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:38 , Mike Jones
Ivan Toney for England. One step, one goal. Sommer guessed correctly but couldn’t get there.
Penalties: England 3-2 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:37 , Mike Jones
Now it’s Shaqiri’s turn. He’s been Switzerland’s talisman for a while. Pickford leaps the correct way but Shaqiri pings his effort into the side netting and keeps the pressure on.
Penalties: England 3-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:36 , Mike Jones
Here comes Bukayo Saka. He missed a penalty in the Euro 2020 final but since then he’s always stepped up to take them. Sommer goes right, Saka goes left.
Saka scores!
Penalties: England 2-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:35 , Mike Jones
Fabian Schar to go next. One Swiss defender has already missed, this Swiss defender doesn’t! A carbon copy of Bellingham’s penalty.
Penalties: England 2-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:35 , Mike Jones
Now it’s Jude Bellingham’s turn. He takes on the pressure and nestles it into the bottom right corner as Sommer leaps the opposite way.
Penalties: England 1-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:34 , Mike Jones
Now it’s Manuel Akanji’s turn. He’s an experienced player and will be confident. The defender misses!
Pickford drops to the left and keeps it out!
Advantage England.
Penalties: England 1-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:32 , Mike Jones
Palmer up for England. He places the ball and slots it home. Ice cold.
Penalties: England 0-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:32 , Mike Jones
Jordan Pickford seems pretty relaxed. Yann Sommer is a good shootout goalkeeper. This is going to be tense, as it always is. Cole Palmer is taking the first one.
Penalties: England 0-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:30 , Mike Jones
So penalties to decide who will join Spain and France in the semi-finals at Euro 2024. Frank Lampard on BBC punditry says this is a horrible place to be. Gary Lineker says he tended to enjoy the shootouts.
ET full-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:28 , Mike Jones
120 mins: The whistle goes. This is going to a penalty shootout.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:25 , Mike Jones
118 mins: Great play from Switzerland sees Shaqiri feed the ball to Zuber on the left. The play gets switched and the Swiss are almost in on goal.
Jordan Pickford thinks about coming out, changes his mind and is thankful when Saka gets back to block the ball out for a corner.
Shaqiri takes it, he swings the ball towards goal and hits the near post! Pickford was scrambling to cover that one too!
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:22 , Mike Jones
116 mins: Phil Foden makes way for Trent Alexander-Arnold with six minutes or so to play in extra-time. Can England get on the ball and create an opportunity for these subs to make an impact?
England v Switzerland: How penalty shootouts work at Euro 2024
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:20 , Mike Jones
England and Switzerland could be heading to a penalty shootout in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.
Drawn knockout matches are decided first by 30 minutes of extra time and then, if the scores are still level, a penalty shootout.
England v Switzerland: How penalty shootouts work at Euro 2024
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:20 , Mike Jones
114 mins: There’s got to be one more good chance. Whether it falls to England or Switzerland is still to be decided. The Swiss look the more likely at the minute, England are stretching themselves.
A cross comes over to Fabian Schar who decides to shoot first time and smokes a shot over the crossbar!
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:17 , Mike Jones
111 mins: Kane makes a run down the left as England try to burst up the pitch. He’s shoved and gets knocked into Gareth Southgate before hitting the deck.
As such there’s a substitution. The England captain is off with Ivan Toney brought on. For Switzerland Xherdan Shaqiri has replaced Breel Embolo.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:15 , Mike Jones
108 mins: Switzerland are the ones in control of the ball. England have men back to defend but Zuber comes down the left and flicks a cross into the far side of the box.
Widmer is there for the Swiss but Eze leaps with him and manages to win the ball.
ET second half! England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:12 , Mike Jones
England kick off the last 15 minutes of this match. Can they find a winning goal?
The ball comes to Pickford who goes long and looks for Kane. Kane and Xhaka come together with the England captain taking a knock to the head.
England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:12 , Jack Rathborn
Our sports reporter Karl Matchett is in Dusseldorf with the latest from a gripping quarter-final tie:
15 minutes to penalties and as is so often the case, nobody really ready to take huge risks at this stage. England have threatened a lot more down their left flank since the changes but it all looks a little individual again now, after a few minutes of promising cohesion and a more team-wide approach to the movement forward. Cole Palmer suddenly looks the most capable player of making something happen, between the fresh legs and positive outlook he offers.
ET half-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:10 , Mike Jones
105 mins: Nothing has changed despite another 15 minutes played. England looked more threatening and as though they have more energy than Switzerland.
Nothing is done yet but both sides will want to avoid a shootout.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:06 , Mike Jones
102 mins: Saka brings the ball into the box from the right and flicks it over to Bellingham. He shoots with his right foot but Xhaka makes the block.
The ball comes back to Bellingham who shoots with his left this time and curls the ball into the hands of Sommer. Good chance for England.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 19:04 , Mike Jones
99 mins: Will Switzerland be happy to take this to a shootout? They’re passing the ball slowly and look tired.
Eze intercepts and runs at the defence, he cuts inside and is fouled by Schar who is on a yellow card. He’s got away with one there but the referee does give him a warning.
Free kick to England.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:59 , Mike Jones
96 mins: Close!
England work the ball up the pitch nicely and find Eze on the left after a couple of direct runs from Palmer. Eze’s cross comes out to Rice who touches it down then blazes a strike at goal only for Sommer to leap and turn it behind.
Good effort, great save!
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:57 , Mike Jones
93 mins: Michel Aebischer sends the ball out to Fabian Schar who looks for a first time cross from the right wing again. This time he gets it wrong and scuffs the ball wide of the target.
Jordan Pickford then boots the ball long in order to get England up the pitch.
England 0-0 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:57 , Jack Rathborn
Our chief football writer Miguel Delaney has his say on those late England changes:
The changes were belated, and probably should have come before the Swiss goal, but they are having effect. England immediately look more balanced. There is also a greater intensity, but that might be down to the state of the game and the impact of Saka’s goal. It was individual inspiration, really, but may have collective product.
ET England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:54 , Mike Jones
Switzerland kick off extra-time with the match all square. The feeling is that another goal will win this match one way or the other. England have a lot of attackers on the pitch with Saka and Eze in the wingback roles.
Can they make use of them?
Extra-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:51 , Mike Jones
Full-time! England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:49 , Mike Jones
90+3 mins: Chance! Switzerland should win it. Fabian Schar hangs a cross into the middle of the box. It’s too high for Breel Embolo but comes to Dan Ndoye who makes a complete hash of the opportunity and can’t direct the ball at goal.
The whistle goes and this match is heading to extra-time.
England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:46 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Palmer is fouled by Schar over on the left wing and wins a free kick in a dangerous area. Phil Foden has it at his feet. He whips it into the area and Yann Sommer punches it away.
Three minutes added on.
England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:43 , Mike Jones
88 mins: There’s a nervous energy settling on the game. One error or piece of brilliance could be the defining factor in this quarter-final.
England move the ball nicely around the Swiss box before Saka’s cross is too heavy and goes out for a throw in.
England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:41 , Mike Jones
86 mins: Luke Shaw leaps to defend a Swiss cross and manages to get the ball to Cole Palmer. He looks to counter but gets dragged back by Silvan Widmer who takes a yellow card.
England 1-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:39 , Mike Jones
83 mins: England should be buoyed now. The momentum and mood is swinging again. Rice sends it back out to Saka who comes inside again but flicks a cross to Kane this time.
Kane chests it down then shoots on the turn but his shot is blocked.
GOAL! England 1-1 Switzerland (Saka, 80’)⚽️
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:37 , Mike Jones
80 mins: Equaliser!
Bukayo Saka, England’s best player today, receives the ball on the right wing. He comes forward, cuts inside and drills a fine effort at the goal.
The ball hits the inside of the far post and finishes in the back of the net. Great goal!
England 0-1 Switzerland
Saturday 6 July 2024 18:36 , Mike Jones
79 mins: England are in the last chance saloon once again. The substitutions must bring more intensity and spark to the Three Lions who only have 10 minutes or so to salvage their campaign – again.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website