⚽️ England Overcome Penalty Phobia, Defeat Switzerland to Reach Euro 2024 Semis! 🎉
Add another thrilling chapter to England's rollercoaster history with penalty shootouts! 🎢
Three years after the heartache of losing the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 final on penalties, the Three Lions roared back with confidence, edging out Switzerland 5-3 in a nail-biting shootout to book their spot in the Euro 2024 semifinals. 🦁🏆
Trent Alexander-Arnold blasted the decisive penalty into the top corner, sealing the victory after a tense 1-1 draw in extra time in Düsseldorf on Saturday. 🥅🔥
\"The team showed a lot of character, a lot of belief, heart, and spirit out there,\" Alexander-Arnold told BBC. \"We knew it was going to be tight but whatever it takes, no matter what, we win and that's all that matters.\" 💪
After being benched for England's first two Euro 2024 games, Alexander-Arnold could've felt his tournament was over. But as manager Gareth Southgate noted, \"He could have easily thought his tournament was done. I kept talking to him. He's going to have moments, there's still a big part to play.\" 🙌
Bukayo Saka, who faced immense pressure after his missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final and the subsequent backlash, stepped up and scored with confidence. At just 22, he showed maturity beyond his years. 🌟
Young guns Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, 22 and 21 respectively, also coolly converted their spot-kicks, along with Ivan Toney, who made a triumphant return after an eight-month ban. 🎯
England took the advantage early in the shootout when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji's opening penalty for Switzerland. 🧤❌
For Southgate, whose own England career was once defined by a semifinal shootout miss against Germany in 1996, this victory was particularly sweet. \"When I took over as manager in 2016, we hadn't won a shootout in 20 years,\" he reflected. \"Now, we've won three of four.\" 🏅
Up next, England will face the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday for a spot in the final. The excitement is real! 🇬🇧 vs. 🇳🇱
Meanwhile, Switzerland, who have never reached the semifinals of a major tournament, faced another heartbreak. \"I'm really sad for the players,\" coach Murat Yakin said. 💔
Stay tuned for more epic football action! ⚽️🔥
Reference(s):
England beat Switzerland 5-3 in shootout to reach Euro 2024 semifinals
cgtn.com
