England defeats Switzerland on penalties to go to the Euro 2024 Semi-Finals

The Three Lions advanced 5-3 in penalties after Trent Alexander-Arnold scored England’s final chance and Manuel Akanji missed Switzerland’s first.

In a thrilling penalty shootout on Saturday in Düsseldorf, Germany, England defeated Switzerland to advance to the Euro 2024 semifinals.

England never looked back when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leaped to his left to deny Manuel Akanji the vital penalty. The winning penalty kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold advanced England to their second straight European Championship quarterfinal.

After a goalless first half, Breel Embolo, who missed the most of the domestic season due to injury, gave Switzerland the lead in the 75th minute of play.

When the ball bounced off John Stones’ knee in the 18-yard box, Embolo was quick to respond and poked it past Pickford into the England net.

Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, and Luke Shaw—who has been recovering from a hamstring injury and hasn’t played competitively since February 18—were the first players Gareth Southgate brought on in response.

Bukayo Saka, an Arsenal teammate, received the ball from Declan Rice on the right wing. He cut inside and curled home a spectacular left-footed drive that went in off the base of Yann Sommer’s post to tie the score and send the visiting England fans into rapture. This action paid off.

In extra time or the last ten minutes of play, neither team was able to take the lead again, and Akanji’s miss proved to be the deciding factor. England will now play either Turkey or the Netherlands.