England reach Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Switzerland on penalties
England have beaten Switzerland in a tense penalty shootout to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the quarter-final to extra-time and onto penalties after it ended 1-1.
Jordan Pickford was the shoot-out hero after he saved Switzerland's first attempt by Manuel Akanji.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapped up a 5-4 triumph to spark bedlam in Dusseldorf and seal a semi-final spot.
England will now face the Netherlands, who beat Turkey 2-1, in the semi-final on Wednesday.
The Three Lions went 1-0 down in the 75th-minute of the match after Switzerland's goal By Breel Embolo.
Saka quickly drew England level with a stunning strike in the 80th minute, cutting inside to fire home with England’s first shot on target.
The Prince of Wales was pictured punching the air after Saka's stunning equaliser.
He then posted on X, from the official @KensingtonRoyal account, shortly after the game saying: "Nail biting to the very end. Well done @England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W"
Meanwhile, back at home, fans descended on bars and pubs in England to support the Three Lions.
Switzerland stuck with the same side that knocked out holders Italy as Southgate made one enforced change and a big switch in system.
Ezri Konsa replaced suspended centre-back Marc Guehi and formed part of a back three, with eyebrows raised at the decision to deploy Saka as right wing-back rather than on the opposite side.
The tweaks left England a little more open, meaning some early interventions from the likes of Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo were required, but more threatening on the ball.
Southgate’s side made an encouraging start with crisper passing and better pressing than previous matches as Declan Rice and Mainoo saw shots blocked.
Phil Foden roamed more effectively and Jude Bellingham – cleared to play after making a gesture after scoring against Slovakia – probed, with Saka giving Michel Aebischer a torrid time.
His lively dart into the box just before the break led to Mainoo being denied by a great Granit Xhaka tackle.
The half ended without stoppage time or a shot on target from either side but within six minutes of the restart Embolo got a shot on Jordan Pickford’s goal.
The Swiss striker saw a headed effort blocked by Konsa as Murat Yakin’s improved side threatened with increased regularity as they attacked their bouncing sea of red.
England fans turned up the volume in response, only to be silenced in the 75th minute.
A smart Swiss passing move saw Newcastle’s Fabian Schar slip in Dan Ndoye to send a low cross that John Stones could only help onto the far post, where Embolo held off Kyle Walker to score.
The England boss immediately brought on Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Luke Shaw – making his first appearance since mid-February – after a goal rocked that England but did not shake their spirit.
Just five minutes after falling behind, Saka confidently cut in from the right and arrowed a low left-footed shot from the edge of the box that beat Yann Sommer, coming off the inside of the far post, and sparked celebrations across the land.
The feeling was as much of relief as joy but there was still an anxious moment as a superb Schar cross was taken off the head of Ndoye by Embolo with an open goal gaping.
Rice went agonisingly close to putting England ahead five minutes into the first period of extra time, hitting a brilliant 25-yarder that Sommer tipped wide.
The Swiss goalkeeper plucked a Bellingham curler out of the air and Southgate replaced skipper Kane with Ivan Toney shortly after he was bundled into the dugout.
The Switzerland clash was Southgate’s 100th game in charge of the senior national team and his 24th match as England manager at a major tournament – nine more than anyone else in history.
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