Cruel Englishmen rumble into the European Championship semi-finals on penalties
A beautiful game it is not, England and Switzerland in the EURO-Quarterfinals. The Swiss go in the lead, the "Three Lions" quickly fall behind. After 90 and 120 minutes, it's deadlocked - the favorite advances in the penalty shootout.
England's football stars suffer through the EURO - but can suddenly convert penalties. After another disappointing performance, Gareth Southgate's team advanced to the semifinals against Switzerland with a 5:3 scoreline and can continue to dream of the first major title since the World Cup triumph in their own country in 1966. England had won the Round of 16 against Slovakia after a comeback in extra time, but against the Swiss it was 1:1 (0:0) after 120 minutes.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made the decisive save against Manuel Akanji and thus also warded off the curse: England had only won ten penalty shootouts in major tournaments, and this was the third victory. "It was really something, how we fought back - and then even in the penalty shootout," said goalscorer Bukayo Saka - who had failed in the EURO final 2021 and was subsequently subjected to racist attacks on social media: "We know what happened the last time."
But in the semifinal on Wednesday (9 PM/MagentaTV and live at ntv.de) in Dortmund, the team definitely needs a performance boost to overcome the Netherlands or Turkey. Against the Swiss, who missed their first-ever semifinal appearance at a major tournament despite their initial lead through Breel Embolo (75.), Saka provided the extension, which remained goalless.
Not a single shot on target in the first half
Under the watchful eyes of Prince William on the honorary podium, a tense game unfolded, in which both teams shied away from taking risks. During opponent possession, they retreated deeply, with Harry Kane defending at times 35 meters from his own goal. Few openings emerged, and with ball possession, the path forward was correspondingly long.
England tried to create chances through the right side with Saka, but the deliveries from the winger were not precise enough. Phil Foden, who, as many experts had hoped, was allowed to play centrally, had little influence on the game. Notably for the first half-hour was an English corner that was played so sloppily that Kyle Walker had to take over from his own goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
There were no scoring opportunities in the first half - the statisticians counted zero shots on target for both teams before the break. Even Bayern star Kane was mostly engaged in fruitless running. England's brilliantly assembled offense failed to get into rhythm, as it had throughout the entire tournament. England played the most exciting team the most boring football.
Kane sees yellow, otherwise ineffective
The Swiss labored to create danger themselves, but found no openings in the dense Swiss defensive legs. The Swiss won the close race for the first shot on target: But Embolo's attempt (51.) was harmless. In this very tense game, the Swiss took control somewhat, while England continued to disappoint.
Captain Kane moved to mark Manuel Akanji (67.) after an Ellbergang intervention, and defended strongly in front of his own penalty area. However, England's best goalscorer was still not involved in the offensive play.
Saka countered with a solo action, and Kane was substituted with ten minutes left in extra time due to being fouled. The Swiss team advanced, with the substituted Xherdan Shaqiri scoring a direct free kick on the post - but in the penalty shootout, England managed to secure the win in reality.
In the upcoming semifinal against the Netherlands or Turkey on Wednesday, Jude Bellingham will need to display his skills to provide England with the needed performance boost. Despite his defensive duties during opponent possession, even drawing back 35 meters from their own goal at times, Harry Kane failed to make a significant impact offensively in the EURO-Quarterfinals against Switzerland, leading statisticians to count zero shots on target for both teams before the break.
