England reached its second successive European Championship semifinals after a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Switzerland at Euro 2024 on Saturday after the quarterfinal had ended 1-1.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the decisive penalty to seal the win for England as it booked its spot in the final four having lost in the final at the last edition of the tournament.
Breel Embolo had opened the scoring when he tapped home from close range in the 75th minute in Dusseldorf, only for Bukayo Saka to equalize just five minutes later with a stunning left-footed effort.
Nothing could separate the two teams in extra-time and so the game went to penalties. Switzerland’s first penalty from Manuel Akanji was saved by Jordan Pickford and that miss proved pivotal as England’s players dispatched their attempts with aplomb.
England hasn’t got the greatest track record in penalty shootouts in major tournaments, including at the Euros three years ago where Gareth Southgate’s team lost to Italy in the final on penalties, but Saturday’s success is a further step towards banishing those demons.
England will face the Netherlands or Turkey in the semifinals, with the two team’s facing off later on Saturday in Berlin.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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