The joy of the English (from left to right) Kyle Walker, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Declan Rice after the victorious penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarter-final of the Euro, on July 6, 2024 in Düsseldorf INA FASSBENDER / AFP
England suffered, gave themselves a scare but got through, qualifying for the semi-finals of the Euro on penalties (5-3, 1-1 aet) at the expense of a valiant Swiss team, Saturday in Düsseldorf.
In the semi-final next Wednesday in Dortmund, Gareth Southgate’s team will face the winner of the last quarter-final which pits the Netherlands against Turkey in the evening.
Switzerland, combative and uninhibited, had nevertheless logically opened the scoring through their striker Breel Embolo, from close range, receiving a cross sent by Dan Ndoye (75th) and slightly deflected by John Stones. A goal that was all in all deserved, even if the two teams had until then competed in clumsiness when approaching the opposing goal.
But stung, the English equalised five minutes later through Bukayo Saka, with a superb curling shot from the left foot at the edge of the penalty area (80th).
Englishman Jude Bellingham (l) in front of Swiss Manuel Akanji, July 6, 2024 in Düsseldorf / INA FASSBENDER / AFP
At the start of extra time, the third of the Euro after those of the first two quarters on Saturday, and the second in a row for the English, Declan Rice unleashed a clear shot from outside the area which forced Yann Sommer, the Swiss goalkeeper, to make an equally remarkable save (95th).
The outcome was ultimately decided on penalties, a session which smiled on Harry Kane’s team-mates, with Manchester City’s Swiss defender Manuel Akanji seeing his shot saved by Jordan Pickford.
The English thus continue on their way without really convincing, they who had been beaten in the final of the previous edition at home in the final by Italy, again on penalties.
Switzerland, who had previously held Germany (1-1) and above all eliminated defending champion Italy in the last 16 (2-0), thus once again failed to qualify for the last four of a major tournament, the Euro and the World Cup.
As for Gareth Southgate, he will be in his fourth semi-final in eight years at the helm of the Three Lions on Wednesday, after those of the 2018 World Cup (lost against Croatia) and Euro 2021 (won against Denmark).
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