England booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf. The match itself finished 1-1 after extra time, with Breel Embolo cancelling out Bukayo Saka’s first-half opener. However, it was Jordan Pickford who emerged as the hero, saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty in the shootout to send Gareth Southgate’s men through.
Pickford Steps Up When Needed (Rating: 7)
While the clean sheet eluded him thanks to Embolo’s clinical finish, Pickford can hold his head high for his overall performance. He wasn’t overly tested throughout the regular game, but made a couple of crucial saves in the second half, particularly denying Ruben Vargas a late winner with a strong fingertip save. His penalty save from Akanji in the shootout was a moment of pure quality, showcasing his calmness and reflexes under immense pressure.
Saka Silences Doubts with Stellar Showing (Rating: 8.5)
After the heartbreak of his missed penalty at Euro 2020, Bukayo Saka was England’s standout performer. Starting on the right wing, he tormented Ricardo Aebischer all night with his pace and trickery. His opening goal was a thing of beauty, curling a shot off the post and into the net from 25 yards out. Saka remained a constant threat throughout, showcasing his confidence and maturity on the big stage.
Stones and Konsa Solid at the Back (Stones: 7.5, Konsa: 7)
John Stones and Ezri Konsa were largely reliable in central defense. Konsa, coming in for the injured Harry Maguire, showed good composure and awareness, dealing well with the physical presence of Breel Embolo for the most part. Stones was typically composed and made some crucial blocks, although he might have done better to close down Embolo for the equalizer.
Walker Struggles Defensively (Rating: 5)
Kyle Walker had a night to forget at right-back. He was caught out of position on a few occasions and struggled to contain the pace of Xherdan Shaqiri. His attacking contributions were limited, and he was eventually replaced by Kieran Trippier late in extra time.
Mixed Bag in Midfield (Rice: 8, Bellingham: 6, Declan Rice: 8)
Declan Rice was a powerhouse in the England midfield, breaking up play and driving the team forward with his energy. He was tidy in his passing and provided a solid defensive shield in front of the backline. Jude Bellingham, on the other hand, had a more subdued game. He showed glimpses of his talent but lacked the final creative spark at times. His passing was occasionally wayward, and he was eventually substituted for Eberechi Eze in extra time.
Foden and Kane Frustrate (Foden: 6, Kane: 4)
Phil Foden found it difficult to get into the game, often crowded out by the Swiss midfield. He showed some nice touches when he did receive the ball but lacked the cutting edge needed to unlock the Swiss defense. Harry Kane had a night to forget. He was isolated throughout and offered little in terms of attacking threat. His hold-up play was poor, and he was eventually replaced by Ivan Toney in extra time.
Southgate’s Tactics Questioned (Rating: 6.5)
Gareth Southgate’s decision to stick with a back three raised eyebrows pre-match. While it provided defensive stability, it sometimes stifled creativity in attack. The substitutions of Foden and Kane late on suggested Southgate was looking for a change of approach, but ultimately it was the heroics of Pickford and Saka that secured victory.
Tense Penalty Shootout
The penalty shootout was a nervy affair. All five English takers – Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Foden, Rice, and Trent Alexander-Arnold – scored their penalties calmly. However, the drama unfolded on the Swiss side. Pickford’s early save from Akanji set the tone, and although Xherdan Shaqiri almost snatched victory with a curler that hit the post, England held their nerve to progress.
Looking Ahead: Semi-Final Awaits
England will now face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Denmark clash in the semi-finals. While they will undoubtedly be buoyed by their dramatic win, Southgate has work to do. Their attacking play needs refinement, and the lack of goalscoring form from Kane will be a concern. However, the character and resilience shown against Switzerland bode well for their chances of reaching the final.
