England Reaches Semifinals of Euro 2024 with Thrilling Penalty Shootout Victory Over Switzerland

In a nail-biting encounter, England has added another chapter to its tumultuous history with penalty shootouts, defeating Switzerland 5-3 in a shootout to reach the semifinals of Euro 2024. The Three Lions’ players exuded confidence as they bounced back from a 1-1 draw in extra time, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decisive strike into the top corner proving to be the winner.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who was benched for England’s first two Euro 2024 games, was a key figure in the shootout, scoring alongside Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, and Ivan Toney. Alexander-Arnold’s goal was a testament to his character and determination, as he had been overlooked for the starting lineup earlier in the tournament. “The team showed a lot of character, a lot of belief, heart, and spirit out there,” he said in an interview with the BBC. “We knew it was going to be tight, but whatever it takes, no matter what, we win, and that’s all that matters.”

Saka, who had earlier equalized to send the game into extra time, also stepped up to score in the shootout. The 22-year-old had previously missed a penalty in the 2021 final, which was decided by a shootout, and had faced racial abuse on social media in the aftermath. His goal was a significant moment in the game, as it ensured England’s progress to the next round.

England’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, played a crucial role in the shootout, saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty kick to give his team the lead. The win marks a significant turnaround for England, which had not won a shootout in 20 years before Gareth Southgate took over as manager in 2016. Under Southgate’s guidance, England has now won three of four shootouts, but lost the most important one in the 2021 final.

The semifinal victory sets up a clash with the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final. Switzerland, which has never reached the semifinals of a major tournament, exits the European Championship on penalties for the second time running, following a similar defeat to Spain three years ago.

The quarterfinal match was a tense affair, with England’s tactics drawing criticism from fans. However, Southgate defended his team’s approach, saying, “When it’s as personal as it’s been in the last few weeks, on a human level it’s quite difficult.” The Swiss had the better chances to win in extra time, including Xherdan Shaqiri hitting the frame of the goal and Zeki Amdouni forcing a save from Pickford.

England was without captain and striker Harry Kane for the shootout, who collided with Southgate on the touchline and appeared to be hurt. He was replaced by Ivan Toney, who had returned to the team in January after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules. Kane had suffered from cramp, according to Southgate.

Taking charge of his 100th game, Southgate has now taken England to at least the semifinals in three of the four major tournaments on his watch. The team’s manager is keen to create history, saying, “We’ve never been to a final outside of England, we’ve never won a Euros. So, there’s two bits of history we’d like to create.”

Historical Context:

• England’s history with penalty shootouts has been tumultuous, with the team not winning a shootout in 20 years before Gareth Southgate took over as manager in 2016.
• England’s loss in the 2021 Euro final, also decided by a shootout, was a significant setback for the team.
• The team’s manager, Gareth Southgate, has been instrumental in improving England’s penalty shootout record, with the team now winning three of four shootouts under his guidance.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• England defeats Switzerland 5-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of Euro 2024. • Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the decisive goal in the shootout, bouncing back from being benched for England’s first two Euro 2024 games. • Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, and Ivan Toney also score in the shootout for England. • Jordan Pickford saves Manuel Akanji’s penalty kick to give England the lead in the shootout. • The win marks a significant turnaround for England, which had not won a shootout in 20 years before Gareth Southgate took over as manager. • England will face the Netherlands in the semifinals on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the final. • Switzerland exits the European Championship on penalties for the second time running, following a similar defeat to Spain three years ago. • England’s tactics drew criticism from fans, but manager Gareth Southgate defended his team’s approach. • Captain and striker Harry Kane was replaced by Ivan Toney in the shootout due to injury, and England’s manager Gareth Southgate took charge of his 100th game. • Southgate aims to create history by taking England to its first-ever major tournament final and winning its first-ever European Championship.