ENGLAND have reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Switzerland in a stunning penalty shoot-out!
Breel Embolo had put the Swiss ahead with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
But five minutes later, Bukayo Saka came to the rescue with a sublime strike.
And then it was Trent’s winning penalty that fired the Three Lions to the semi-final where they will face the Netherlands.
- TV channel: BBC One
- FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
- England team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Trippier, Mainoo, Rice, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
- Switzerland team: Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Rieder, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Ndoye, Embolo, Vargas
EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Dusseldorf below…
Old Palmer
GARETH SOUTHGATE labelled Cole Palmer a “fearless old man” after the England man confidently dispatched his penalty in the shoot-out win over Switzerland, writes Dylan Terry.
Chelsea man Palmer, 22, scored the first of the Three Lions’ five spot kicks in Dusseldorf as they claimed a 5-3 victory in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
Bukayo Saka, England’s player of the match, also tucked his neatly away, three years after suffering penalty heartache in the Euros final against Italy.
And Southgate, 53, began discussing the shoot-out by praising the Arsenal man.
When asked by the BBC about Saka, he said: “So brave. Look, he’s one of our best so we were never in any question that he was going to take one.
“But we all know what he went through [so] to deliver as he did.”
Southgate then turned his attention to the other takers – Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold – before he hilariously described the Chelsea playmaker.He added: “But not just him. Trent, Ivan to come on and take them as they did.
“Cole, he’s like an old man isn’t he the way he’s fearless.
“So huge performance, huge result for us, and we’re still in it.”
Turn off the Gaz
GARY LINEKER forced the BBC into drastic defending when he dropped the F-bomb during England’s victory over Switzerland, writes Ian Tuckey.
The Beeb showed footage of the Three Lions’ legend and studio pundits celebrating wildly after Bukayo Saka’s sensational equaliser which led to Gareth Southgate’s men winning on penalties.
But Lineker’s uncontrolled expression of joy was too much for the broadcaster.
First the Beeb had displayed rejoicing that exploded from a fans’ zone when Bukayo Saka levelled in normal time – ahead of the shootout success.
Then the BBC then switched to what had happened in the studio – where a similar burst of joy over Saka’s sizzler was interrupted by Lineker appearing to let out an expletive.
Watch moment BBC forced to censor Gary Lineker on live TV for dropping F-bomb as pundits celebrate wildly for Saka goalWalcott dresses to impress
THEO WALCOTT joked that he channelled his inner Gareth Southgate with his outfit for his punditry duties, writes Chisanga Malata.
The former Arsenal hitman was part of BBC’s broadcast team for the Three Lions’ quarter-final clash with Switzerland.
Ex-England star Walcott appeared on our screens at half-time to give his thoughts on a drab first 45 minutes.
And he joked that he’d deliberately dressed like Southgate as a show of support for the under-pressure manager.
After giving some insightful analysis of the match, he said: “Look, for me, I’m very positive for today.
“Look, I’ve got Gareth Southgate’s top on, I think as well.
“So I’m very into it.”
Credit: PA
Two wins from glory
England are in what has become a very familiar position.
It has not always been pretty, but it’s the name on the trophy that matters.
The Dutch scraped past Turkey and England will go into their semi-final as favourites.
Meanwhile, Spain and France will go toe-to-toe as they fight for a spot in Berlin.
That’s all from me, a thrilling evening of football.
Euro 2024 top scorers
Cody Gakpo would be leading the race but his goal earlier has been awarded to Mert Muldur.
I’m not sure, the gutted Turkey star will want it but maybe he’s a fan of one of the other Golden Boot contenders.
Gakpo, Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Shranz are on three goals apiece.
The flying Dutchman is the only man who can add to his tally but Jude Bellingham, Donyell Malen, Fabian Ruiz and Harry Kane are on two apiece.
Credit: AFP Jack the glad
SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere is riding a wave of optimism.
Here’s what he had to say.
I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack Wilshere
IT TOOK penalties to put us through but, before the drama, England showed us why they have the ingredients to do something special, writes Jack Wilshere.
It was a win by the narrowest of margins but this was overall our best performance of Euro 2024.
If we can build on the progress we made, especially in the first half, we could WIN the tournament.
It was not a complete display. There were nervy moments and waiting so long to make changes could have cost us.
But we saw what a good team England can be if they do the right things and put players in the right positions.
The first half was England’s best since the first 45 against Serbia. Maybe even better.
One of the keys to that was our press and the effect it had on Granit Xhaka.
For the first time in four games we were pressing high, winning the ball back in better areas and putting Switzerland on the back foot.
In previous matches, our forwards were pressing but the gaps between our lines were too big.
That was leaving huge gaps for Declan Rice and whoever was partnering him to cover.
This time there was better structure and organisation.
There seemed to be more of a plan for when to drop into a block and when to jump out to press.
Now England have the opportunity to build momentum and show why they can win this tournament.
Read all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euro 2024 articles.
Full-time – Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
England will play the Dutch in Dortmund on Wednesday.
Spain and France meet a day earlier.
Turkey had a brilliant tournament but didn’t take their chances.
Football can be a cruel sport.
Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
Turkey are going at it hammer and tongs.
Bart Verbruggen has just possibly made the save of the tournament.
Credit: Reuters Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
85. How have they not scored?
Two goal-saving interventions maintain the Netherlands’ 2-1 lead.
Turkey are pushing and creating chances.
A great game.
Djok and awe
NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S Wimbledon clash was temporarily halted on Centre Court – as English football fans celebrated the penalty shootout win, writes Joshua Jones.
England booked their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with a nervy 5-3 shootout victory over Switzerland following a 1-1 draw.
Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed home the winning spot-kick at 7.40pm.
At the exact same time, Djokovic was in the middle of the second set against Alexei Popyrin of Australia – having surprisingly dropped the opener.
Popyrin was about to serve at 1-4 30-30 when suddenly a massive cheer went up around the 15,000-seater stadium.
And that was because plenty of supporters inside the venue were keeping tabs on events in Dusseldorf.
Watch incredible moment Wimbledon centre court erupts as England beat Switzerland and even Djokovic can’t help smilingGoal – Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Or is it an own-goal, stay tuned.
Anyway, it’s 2-1 Netherlands.
Taking England’s crown as comeback kings.
It’s a brilliant ball to the ball post and Cody Gakpo, who has been awarded the goal for now, stole in ahead of the full-back.
Goal – Stefan de Vrij (Netherlands)
Another centre-back.
Turkey have been sitting a bit deep and they pay the price.
It’s a free header too, not good enough at this level.
Netherlands 0-1 Turkey
65. The Turks almost have another.
Much like Harry Kane in the earlier game, Wout Weghorst’s best contribution so far has been in his own box.
He stretches out a very long leg to poke the ball clear.
Pick or treat
FANS crowned Jordan Pickford the king of shootout s***housery as England sneaked into the Euro 2024 semi-finals, writes Ian Tuckey.
Pickford made the only penalty save needed as the Three Lions sunk Switzerland 5-3 on spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw.
But there was so much more to the keeper’s crucial intervention than diving to keep out Manuel Akanji’s low effort.
As Akanji prepared to take the first penalty of the shootout, viewers spotted Pickford staring at the Manchester City defender with his eyes and mouth wide open.
Many might think he looked more like an over-acting extra in a hammy horror movie than an international sporting hero.
But Pickford’s tactics could well have worked – because Akanji’s mediocre attempt was the worst kick of the shootout.
Read all about it here.
Netherlands 0-1 Turkey
55. Post.
Arda Guler almost scores a huge goal.
Nathan Ake is booked and from the resultant free-kick nearly creeps in.
That could have been it.
Netherlands 0-1 Turkey
Playing with two men who weren’t good enough for struggling Manchester United teams is not a good formula for success.
But Wout Weghorst and Memphis Depay almost connected for a goal there.
The Dutch are on top this half.
Soccer Football â Euro 2024 â Quarter Final â Netherlands v Turkey â Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany â July 6, 2024 Netherlandsâ Memphis Depay in action with Turkeyâs Kaan Ayhan REUTERS/Carmen JaspersenCredit: Reuters Man of the moment
Trent Alexander-Arnold took a superb penalty after just six minutes on the field.
Trent Alexander-Arnold puts England into Euro 2024 semi finals with brilliant final penalty in shootout vs SwitzerlandNetherlands 0-1 Turkey
We’re underway in the second half.
I’m not sure who England would rather face.
The Netherlands are traditional powerhouses but Turkey have had the better tournament.
Harry is able
Amid all the madness, Harry Kane confirmed he is not injured.
Was it his best game, no. Would either Turkey or the Netherlands sleep easier knowing he wasn’t fit, yes.
He told the BBC: “I am fine and I had a bit of cramp, the boss made a quick decision.”
On Bukayo Saka, he added: “He has been eager to help the team and to play the way he did for 120 minutes, really special.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him and all the boys. We have to come down and get ready for a game in a few days.”
Half-time
It’s 1-0 Turkey and the Netherlands don’t deserve much better.
Whoever wins takes on England, who are now shootout kings apparently.
This tournament is anybody’s to win.
Turkey were 40/1 going into this game!
Pickford’s got the bottle
You need plenty of mental strength in a shootout.
A list of where the opposition like to aim their penalties helps too.
Jordan Pickford clearly did his homework.
Back to England
With beer prices at a record high, somebody is making a lot of money off this tournament.
Here’s some more wild scenes.
Agony to ecstasy AGAIN: England fans send BEERS FLYING, beating Switzerland in dramatic pen shootoutGoal – Samet Akaydin (Turkey)
It’s his first international goal.
People assumed Turkey would be stuffed but they’re five months too early.
They are a real threat from set-pieces.
The initial corner is cleared but another centre-back gets on the scoresheet for the young Turks.
History belongs in the past
Bukayo Saka sums up the new generation of players.
Yes, they have had their own heartaches.
But the new generation of Three Lions have found their courage – without paying a visit to the Wizard of Oz.
Saka said: “Obviously for myself, I believe we have some of the best takers in the Premier League and the world, if it did come to penalties we would be confident – we showed that today.
“For me, it is something I embrace – you can fail once and you have a choice if you are going to put yourself in that position again, I believed in myself and when the ball hit the net I was a very happy man
“I am not going to be focused on the past, that is done, I can only focus on now. I know there were a lot of nervous people watching, my family included, but I kept my cool.
“There are two more games, we can change our lives and make history – we are going to watch the game and see who we are facing.”
England looking forward to shootouts, there’s something new.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
