England’s luck at Euro 2024 has continued as they exorcised their penalty demons by beating Switzerland in the quarter-final shootout.
For the second knockout match in a row, the Three Lions had to come from behind before equalising late on.
Switzerland looked to be on course for the last-four following Breel Embolo’s close-range strike in the 75th minute.
But Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka – playing as a right wing-back – popped up with a super curling effort in off the post five minutes later.
The two teams couldn’t be separated in extra-time, with the match going to penalties – England’s first shootout since the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
Saka may have missed the crucial deciding spot-kick three years ago, but he was on target this time as England won 5-3.
Manuel Akanki missed the only penalty of the shootout, with his weak effort well saved by Jordan Pickford.
It’s now two out of three penalty shootout victories for England under Gareth Southgate at major tournaments – just their third overall.
England will now face the Netherlands in next Wednesday’s semi-final.
But in truth, it was another gritty display from England, with talkSPORT host Adrian Durham rating and slating the players from Dusseldorf.
‘Memorable’
The 22-year-old may be affectionately known as the ‘Star Boy’ by Arsenal fans, but he is certainly living up to his nickname
It was Saka who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to force the game into extra-time.
And he was just as effective in defence, where he tracked back 60 yards to make a crucial block in the 116th minute.
Giving Saka a 9/10 rating, Durham said of the Hale End graduate: “Great display of wing play, great goal, brilliant, memorable, special penalty.”
Kane not Able
He may have scored twice at Euro 2024 so far, but the England skipper once again put in a poor performance.
The Tottenham legend looked lethargic in attack and was a passenger for the majority of the game.
Taking exception to the centre-forward failing to gamble on Saka’s wicked first-half cross, Durham remarked: “Harry Kane – he should have been alive and bursting into the box for that Saka cross.
“I watched it again on the replay and Kane was just standing there slowly ambling forward, Saka puts the ball in and he isn’t there, and Kane then looked over to Saka, gave a thumbs up and looked to the sky as if to say, ‘I know where I should have been’.
“Well get there, man!”
Southgate decided to hook Kane in extra-time, with his replacement Ivan Toney scoring in the shootout.
Given just a four out of ten, Durham simply said of the Bayern Munich marksman: “Still doesn’t look fit.”
‘Touch wasn’t great’
Kyle Walker is widely regarded as the best right-back in Premier League history.
But he failed to impress against Switzerland, with the Manchester City man unable to make an impact in attack, and often giving the ball away when passing out of defence.
Singling him out in his half-time analysis, Durham said: “I blame Kyle Walker a little bit for the aimlessness of that England play towards the end of the first-half.
“When the ball comes to him he either wants to go backwards or sideways, he can’t control the ball, he can’t seem to pass it properly.
“He just needs to give the ball to Bukayo Saka – simple.”
It resulted in the 34-year-old receiving a 5/10 rating, as Durham stated: “Touch wasn’t great at times, didn’t support Saka as much as he could have.”
England player ratings vs Switzerland
Starting XI
- Jordan Pickford – 8
- Kyle Walker – 5
- John Stones – 5
- Ezri Konsa – 8
- Bukayo Saka – 9
- Kieran Trippier – 5
- Declan Rice – 7
- Kobbie Mainoo – 8
- Phil Foden – 6
- Jude Bellingham – 7
- Harry Kane – 4
Subs
- Luke Shaw – 6
- Eberechi Eze – 7
- Cole Palmer – 8
- Ivan Toney – N/A
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – N/A
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News Summary:
- ‘Memorable’ Bukayo Saka gets 9/10 but Harry Kane questioned in England player ratings following win over Switzerland
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