Gareth Southgate praised the players’ brilliance, stating it was the finest performance they had delivered. England progressed to the semi-finals after a 5-3 shootout victory against Switzerland, having tỷ lệ kèo nhà cái drawn 1-1. The decisive moment came when Jordan Pickford denied Manuel Akanji, and Trent Alexander-Arnold sealed the win with a successful penalty kick.
Gareth Southgate commended England’s resilience following what he called their standout performance of Euro 2024 during the quarter-final shootout triumph over Switzerland.
Bukayo Saka equalized Breel Embolo’s early goal, forcing the match into extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout. Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all successfully converted their penalties, while Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji’s attempt sealed England’s place in the semi-finals.
The match concluded in thrilling fashion after a tense encounter, marking England’s first shootout victory since defeating Switzerland in the Nations League third-place playoff five years ago in Portugal.
Southgate praised the players’ performance, telling the BBC, “I thought they were absolutely brilliant. It’s the best we’ve played.”
“I felt we posed significant challenges for them. They’re a formidable team—difficult to press and defend against—with excellent movement.”
“Once more, to rally from behind and demonstrate the character and resilience we did, I spoke to the players about that. Winning tournaments isn’t solely about playing well—it’s about showcasing various attributes, and tonight, we exhibited them all.”
“Today, we executed our tactics effectively and played well. People may have their opinions about us, but reaching a third semi-final speaks volumes about this team.”
“We understood the importance of pressuring their back three, which isn’t straightforward without altering our formation. I thought the players maintained great discipline in executing that strategy.”
“I thought Phil caused them significant issues to handle, while Kobbie and Jude exploited the gaps in their defensive setup. Overall, we maintained good control of the game. However, we could have benefited from more presence in the box for some of our crosses. Nonetheless, I believe it was our strongest performance yet.”
Southgate expressed confidence that Saka would step up to take a penalty
Saka’s crucial penalty miss occurred in the final of the previous Euros against Italy at Wembley Stadium in 2021, marking England’s near miss in that tournament.
Commenting on Saka’s decision to take a penalty and score in the shootout, Southgate praised his bravery, highlighting his importance to the team. Despite the challenges he faced, there was never any doubt among us that he would step up.
“The way he delivered was exceptional… And it wasn’t just him; Trent and Ivan came on and took their penalties brilliantly too. Cole, despite his young age, showed incredible fearlessness. It’s a massive result for us, a massive performance, and we’re still in contention.”
“We executed our game plan effectively today, and our tactical approach was crucial. People may have their opinions about us, but reaching our third semi-final speaks volumes about the character and quality within our team.”
Analysis: Saka demonstrates his resilience and skill
Sky Sports said:
England owes its spot in the semi-finals largely to Bukayo Saka. Despite playing out of position as a wing-back, the Arsenal forward, widely regarded as England’s most potent threat, delivered a breathtaking equalizer in Dusseldorf, securing a player-of-the-match performance that was pivotal to England’s advancement.
Equally remarkable was his courage to step forward and take one of England’s penalties during the shootout, just three years after his crucial miss in the Euro 2020 final. What made it even more impressive was his successful conversion, showcasing both his skill and resilience, which played a crucial role in guiding England to victory.
“I’d rank it right up there,” Saka told BBC when asked about the significance of the win. “It was incredibly special, especially considering how we fought back and then took it all the way to penalties.”
“The memory of our last penalty shootout at the Euros is still fresh in our minds. I’m incredibly proud of everyone for pulling through and getting the job done this time.”
“My faith in God sustained me through that tough experience. It was a challenging journey back, but I used it to grow stronger. Today, I seized the opportunity, and I’m filled with happiness.”
