England on Saturday beat Switzerland on penalties to keep their dreams of winning UEFA Euro 2024 alive as they advanced to a semi-final showdown against the Netherlands, who came from behind to defeat Turkey 2-1 in the day’s other match.
In Duesseldorf, Germany, England produced another late fightback as their quarter-final with the Swiss finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and at the end of extra-time, before Gareth Southgate’s side triumphed 5-3 in the shoot-out.
England converted all of their penalties, with Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji the only player to miss as he took his team’s first kick, but was denied by a Jordan Pickford save.
Photo: AP
A dreary encounter for the first 75 minutes came to life after Breel Embolo put Switzerland in front, sliding in at the back post to convert Dan Ndoye’s deflected cross.
England needed only five minutes to draw level thanks to a fine goal by Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal attacker’s low strike from wide on the right finding the far corner of the net.
There were no further goals, although substitute Xherdan Shaqiri came close to winning the game late in extra-time for Switzerland when he hit the woodwork direct from a corner.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold converted their penalties to send England through.
“We are not going to stop fighting, we are in another semi-final and we’ll see where we can get to,” said Southgate, who marked the victory in his 100th game in charge with a dance in front of the England fans.
“Every now and then you think surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job. If I can’t enjoy that moment the whole thing is a waste of time,” he said.
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