Euro 2024

GARETH SOUTHGATE labelled Cole Palmer a “fearless old man” after the England man confidently dispatched his penalty in the shoot-out win over Switzerland.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.Gareth Southgate brilliantly reacted to England’s penalty victory over SwitzerlandCole Palmer scored England’s first penalty with a calm finishCredit: GettySouthgate hilariously described the Chelsea star as an ‘old man’Credit: GettyBukayo 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.”READ MORE ON ENGLANDSouthgate 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.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.Goalscorer Saka, who suffered horrific racist abuse after his penalty miss in 2021, was overjoyed as he reacted to the huge victory.He said: “It was special, very special. How we fought back. The last time we went to penalties in the Euros we all know what happened.”To come back from something like that was really difficult but I used it to make me stronger.”Hopefully in the next game we can win in 90 minutes. But if this is what it takes we will do anything.”While Alexander-Arnold added: “When the gaffer tells me I am taking one my belly doesn’t drop. I enjoyed it and knew I needed to execute it.”I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack WilshereIT 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. More

WOUT Weghorst sparked a turnaround to remember as Holland set up a semi-final with England in Dortmund on Wednesday.Weghorst will always be remembered by Manchester United fans as an unmitigated flop during his loan spell at Old Trafford.Holland will play England in the Euro 2024 semi-final on WednesdayCredit: APBut the striker – still officially a Burnley player despite not playing for the Turf Moor side in January 2022 – has become Holland’s supersub.It was his double off the bench that forced World Cup extra-time against Argentina in Qatar, while he scored the last gasp winner against Poland in their opener here in Germany.And while it was defender Stefan de Vrij and an unfortunate own goal from Mert Muldur that transformed this game in the space of six second half minutes, Weghorst’s introduction as the spearhead of a team that had looked so blunt either side of Samet Akaydin’s first half header proved the turning point.And so it will be the Dutch who stand between England and the final.READ MORE ON EURO 2024 A side with quality but also weaknesses. A battle of equals indeed.In the end, the suspensions that had cost Vincenzo Montella the services of first choice midfield duo Salih Ozkan and Ismail Yuksek as well as “grey wolf” defender Merih Demiral did prove decisive.Holland were certainly more cohesive in the early stages.Memphis set the tone as he drove into the five man Turkish back line in the first minute only to flash over the top from 16 yards.Most read in Euro 2024I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack WilshereIT 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.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThere were also off-target efforts from Cody Gakpo – although the flag then went up – and Xavi Simons.But that was where it stopped as Turkey, with Arda Guler on the right rather than through the middle, began to settle, midfielder Salih Ozkan chancing his arm from distance.England fans at Boxpark go wild as Trent scores winning pen to put Three Lions into Semi finalsGalatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz was proving himself a handful for Virgil van Dijk with his power and movement.And Turkey carved out a real chance midway through the half.Skipper Hakan Calhanoglu floated a free-kick into the danger zone which was met by a prod over the bar from defender Abdulkerim Bardakci, who had worked himself free.Turkey’s confidence was growing by the minute and that pressure told ten minutes before the break.Holland only cleared a left wing corner by Calhanoglu as far as Guler, who had time to measure a perfect ball to the back post.Three Turkish players were queueing up to take advantage and it was Akaydin who seized the moment, planting an unstoppable close-range header off the underside of the bar and past the exposed Bart Verbruggen.Samet Akaydin opened the scoring for TurkeyCredit: ReutersThe upset was on the cardsCredit: GettyHe wheeled away, kissing the Turkish star and crescent on his shirt. Montella was even more frenzied on the sidelines.If you thought it was loud earlier, the sound was now deafening, a wall of noise directed at the Dutch, roars when Turkey won the ball back.Koeman was frustrated. His team had lost their way, badly.It was crying out for something – a change, a moment of inspiration, some leadership. Koeman sat, impassively. Waiting. Hoping.And, at the interval, turning to Wout Weghorst as he reverted to two in the middle and Memphis dropping.The balance of the game altered yet Turkey – and Guler – were four inches of woodwork away from doubling their lead in the 53rd minute.Stefan de Vrij headed an excellent equaliserCredit: GettyXavi Simons celebrates with De VrijCredit: AFPNathan Ake was rightly booked for wiping out the Real Madrid tyro as he raced onto Yilmaz’ flick – only the proximity of De Vrij saved him from a red card.But Guler stepped up, drove left-footed around the wall and Verbruggen from 30 yards, only for his scudding effort to flick the outside of the upright.That ear-worm chant in honour of the youngster – a constant backdrop to every Turkey match here – reverberated through the Olympic Stadium.Weghorst then made a vital contribution at the other end, just getting in front of Yilmaz after Verbruggen could not hold Kenan Yildiz’ shot.And the value became even greater as Holland levelled with 20 to go.Wieghorst’s volley was shovelled behind by Mert Gunok but Turkey were not alert to the short corner that was returned to Memphis, whose ball in was headed down and past the keeper by De Vrij.And within six minutes the turnaround was complete.READ MORE SUN STORIESWeghorst won an aerial battle outside the box, Simons fed Denzel Dumfries, who fizzed across and, as Gakpo and Muldur tangled, the Turkish defender unwittingly got the crucial touch to divert into his own net, despite the Liverpool man being given the initial credit.Turkey came again, a desperate clearance from in front of their own goal by Spurs’ Micky van der Van and De Vrij keeping them ahead before Verbruggen denied substitute Semih Kilicsoy.Cody Gakpo helped score the dramatic winner which went down as an own-goalCredit: ReutersThe Liverpool star helped send Netherland into the semisCredit: Reuters More

JORDAN PICKFORD’S penalty heroics were aided by a shoot-out cheat sheet on his WATER BOTTLE.England’s No1 saved from Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji as the Three Lions sealed a 5-3 win on penalties after drawing 1-1 in 120 minutes.Jordan Pickford was England’s hero again in the penalty shoot-outCredit: ReutersHe saved from Manuel Akanji who took Switzerland’s first spot kickCredit: PAPickford had a penalty cheat sheet on his water bottleCredit: GettyHe used his instructions for three of Switzerland’s four penaltiesCredit: GettyAnd he only narrowly failed to keep out ex-Stoke and Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri too, as he dived the right way for two of the four spot kicks he faces.But it wasn’t mere guesswork from the Everton stopper.That’s because he had meticulous instructions for every Swiss player written on his drinks bottle.Next to Akanji’s name, Pickford had written “dive left”.READ MORE ON ENGLANDAnd that’s exactly what he did as he stopped Switzerland’s first penalty, which ultimately earned the Three Lions a semi-final clash with Holland in Dortmund on Wednesday.Pickford could have saved the next one too, had he listened to his own research.For Fabian Schar’s kick, he faked to dive left and then went right, the complete OPPOSITE of the instruction on his bottle.And the Newcastle man actually put it exactly where Pickford had planned, and into the back of the net.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn fact, Switzerland’s Zeki Amdouni was the taker NOT to do exactly what was written on Pickford’s bottle, sending his penalty down the middle as Pickford dived left.But one save was all it took for Pickford as Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all converted with unwavering assurance.England player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.It adds to Pickford’s already impressive penalty record with England.He saved one in the shoot-out against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup, before saving and scoring against Switzerland in the Nations League the following year.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett England review as ‘lucky’ Three Lions squeak by Switzerland in dramatic penalty shootoutHe even saved two against Italy in the Euros final in 2021, only for England to end up losing.And he spoke about that pedigree in penalty shoot-outs ahead of the Switzerland game.He said: “History of winning major tournaments shows that you’ve got to go into extra time, maybe win a penalty shoot-out.”It was the Nations League for third place and the bronze medal but you’ve got to learn from them experiences and take them experiences into major tournaments.”It was a good feeling back then to get them experiences under our belt.”Asked if he would take another against Switzerland if required, he added: “I will step up. I’m not the manager but I will practise and I will be prepared.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We know they are a very good side, they’ve just knocked out the reigning champions [Italy] and are playing some very good football so they aren’t going to be a team we’re taking lightly.”We’re going to have to prepare fully for it and that is what we will be ready for.”I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack WilshereIT 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. More

BUKAYO SAKA couldn’t stop smiling after helping fire England into a Euro 2024 semi-final clash with Holland.The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament after Breel Embolo fired Switzerland into the lead with only quarter of an hour left in Dusseldorf.Saka smiled throughout his post-match interviewCredit: BBCHe ranked England’s victory against the Swiss as one of his greatest moments in a Three Lions shirtCredit: BBCSaka’s wonder strike from the edge of the area drew England levelCredit: ReutersHe then tucked his penalty brilliantly into the right hand cornerCredit: EPABut, less than five minutes later, Saka stepped up to be England’s lionhearted hero.The Arsenal star cut inside from his new position at right wing-back to level the scores with a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box.Both sides had chances to win it in extra-time before the game, inevitably, drifted towards penalties.And, with England 2-1 up in spot-kicks after Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji, up stepped Saka with the chance to put England in command.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Saka, 22, coolly fired past Yann Sommer, banishing the memory of his heartbreaking miss in the final loss to Italy at Euro 2020.All five of England’s takers converted to make it a perfect set of pens, with England winning 5-3 – only their fourth-ever shootout win.Asked about exorcising his demons, Saka admitted: “It’s something I embrace. It was special, very special, how we fought back. The last time we went to penalties we all know what happened.“You can fail once but you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position again or not. I’m a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEngland player ratings: Saka the saviour for Three Lions but subbed Kane stuggles in penalties thriller vs SwitzerlandBUKAYO SAKA showed huge courage as he dug England out of a hole and through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.The Three Lions looked to be going out when Breel Embolo had put Swiss ahead on 75 minutes.But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back into five minutes later with a stunning effort off the post.To penalties it went – just like it did between these two sides five years ago in the Nations League.And just like back then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’s first effort from Manuel Akanji.England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions into the semi-final.Here’s how the players rated…Jordan Pickford: 7Had his heart in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner deep into extra-time hit the post and bar, but then pulled off a smart stop to take it to penalties.Saved Manuel Akanji’s first spot-kick by diving low to his left.Kyle Walker: 6Spent most of the game on the right side of a three which meant he could not get forward. Embolo got in front of him for Switzerland’s opener. Won the toss so the penalties were taken in front of the England fans.John Stones: 6Crisper passing in the first half, much better than his sloppy Slovakia display, but his deflection on Dan Ndoye’s cross diverted it to Embolo.Ezri Konsa: 6Was decent in the first half of his maiden start at a major tournament but, like the rest of the team, went into his shell after the break.Kieran Trippier: 6Had been expected to play right wing-back but was once again on the left.Solid defensively but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little going forward on his unnatural side.Declan Rice: 7Anticipated, and subsequently, won a number of 50-50s at the base of England’s midfield.It was his decoy run that opened up the space for Saka to find the corner, before his 25-yard wonderstrike was denied by a flying Yann Sommer save in extra-time.Kobbie Mainoo: 6Some decent drives forward from midfield. Looked as if he would fire home an opener just before the break afterBukayo Saka’s nice cutback, but was denied by Granit Xhaka’s excellent block.Bukayo Saka: 8 and STAR MANDid not play at left wing-back as expected, but was England’s most dangerous attacking player throughout – and none more so when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute leveller which flew in off the post.Showed huge courage in the shoot-out as he stroked home his penalty beautifully, three years on from missing in the last Euros final.Jude Bellingham: 6Produced a few graceful dribbles which showcased his quality in the first half but pretty quiet.Looked knackered but showed big cojones with his low penalty.Phil Foden: 6Admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed to in the first 20 minutes, but faded after that.Harry Kane: 4This system just does not suit him. He needs runners, but does not look like he is going to get them.Just could not get into the game and was subbed out of it in extra-time, seconds after he was sent crashing into his manager on the touchline.SUBSCole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7One of three players to come on in reaction to Switzerland’s opener – why did it take so long, Gareth? Dispatched England’s first spot-kick with aplomb.Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6First minutes of football since February, slotting in on the left side of back three as Southgate went for broke.Eberechi Eze (for Mainoo, 78): 6Carved out a nice bit of space for himself in the dying moments but fired wide.Ivan Toney (For Kane, 109): 7It was no surprise to see him come with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more of a shock was that it was for spot-kick maestro Kane. Was knocked over in the box right at the end of extra-time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7Thrown on late into extra-time. Belted home his spot-kick to win it.Gareth Southgate: 4The adjusted back three system worked to a certain extent, but still the approach looked to be to keep it tight and rely on a moment of magic.Saka provided that for the leveller, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.Took an age to make a change – prompted only by Switzerland going ahead. But got his subs right when it came to the penalty shoot-out.“To come back from something like that was really difficult but I used it to make me stronger.“We know there are two more games until we can change our lives and make some history that’s never been made before. We’re really focused on that.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett England review as ‘lucky’ Three Lions squeak by Switzerland in dramatic penalty shootout“Hopefully in the next game we can win in 90 minutes. But if this is what it takes we will do anything.”England boss Gareth Southgate – who was seen giving Saka a massive hug amid the celebrations – couldn’t have been more proud of his starlet.Southgate said: “Bukayo was so brave. He is one of our best so we were never in any doubt that he was going to take one.“We all know what he went through so to deliver the way he did… I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch. He’s a special boy, he’s a dream to work with.“It takes courage but we had belief in him. We had belief in him previously. He’s now got a lot more experience of those pressure moments. His all-round performance was exceptional.””So yeah, I’m proud of myself as well for that.”After seeing Saka beam his way through a post-match interview on the BBC, host Gary Lineker was full of praise for the “wonderful” England star.I know we needed penalties… but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack WilshereIT 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.He said: “What a wonderful young man. He is so likeable and so brilliant.”While Beeb pundit Rio Ferdinand added: “Everything about him just comes off as so positive. You can’t help but love him not only for his football but his personality and his character.”I’d go as far to say that he’s England’s most important player because he’s so different to everybody else. He’s the one that will run at people and beat them one on one and go in behind.”Even today, he played a wing back position today but he is a winger. He’s such a talented player.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSaka was one of a number of England stars that received disgraceful racist abuse for missing a penalty in England’s last shoot-out at the Euros.He had his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final after coming on as a substitute. More