EURO 2024 - Penalty drama: England defeats Switzerland in the European Championship quarter-finals
With Rumpel football to success. England can still hope for the first major football title since 58 years with a win. After a 5:3 penalty shootout against Switzerland, the team led by coach Gareth Southgate advanced to the EURO semi-finals. The game had ended 1:1 after 120 minutes. England's Bukayo Saka (80.) equalized Switzerland's lead by Breel Embolo (75.) in front of 46,533 spectators in Düsseldorf.
The Three Lions turned around the imminent EURO elimination late in the game, just as they had against Slovakia (2:1 n.V.). The upcoming opponent for the favored Swiss team is on Wednesday (21.00 CET) in Dortmund, the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Turkey.
For the Swiss, the dream of a historic coup and the first entry into the final four teams at an EURO is at stake. After strong performances in the group stage and the convincing quarterfinal victory over Italy (2:0), the team with numerous Bundesliga professionals under coach Murat Yakin lacked luck.
Southgate, in his 100th game as English coach, once again relied on his regulars in the starting lineup, despite the numerous critical voices about his nearly unchanged squad in the previous lackluster games. Unfortunately for Prince William and many English fans, the trust of the coach in his regulars did not pay off again. The team was more focused on control and tempo, but its offensive potential was rarely unleashed. Despite all attempts to unsettle the well-organized opposing defense, ideas and decisive power were once again lacking.
Uncooperative Swiss
The Swiss turned out to be the expected tough opponent. In line with their trainer Yakin's words before the kickoff - "We don't experience this often as a small country, we want to enjoy it." - they played freely. Unimpressed by short pressure phases from the English, they never lost order.
The spectators in the first half did not see a single clear scoring chance. The Swiss came closest to taking the lead only from a Ruben Vargas (9.) shot. On the other side, two shots from Kobbie Mainoo (16./44.) were blocked in desperation. The only active player in the English offense was dribbling artist Bukayo Saka, but his passes from the wing in the opponent's penalty area rarely found a taker.
First shot on goal after the break
The first shot on goal came only after the break. But the attempt by the Swiss forward Breel Embolo in the 51st minute from close range did not pose a problem for the English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
This brief excitement changed little, however. Both teams continued to shy away from risk and limited themselves to a few offensive actions. If there were any, it was the Swiss who tried their luck. And the Swiss were rewarded. After a cross from Ndoye, Embolo was there and scored from close range.
This goal brought excitement. The English response did not keep spectators waiting long. The first English shot on goal from Saka resulted in an equalizer - and an extension.
First, England's Declan Rice tested Switzerland's Yann Sommer with a powerful shot from a distance (95). Just before the end of the extension, the substituted Xherdan Shaqiri struck a direct free-kick against the aluminum (117). The Swiss continued to pressure, but no goal fell during the extension. In the penalty shootout, however, England showed better nerves.
- Despite the 1:1 draw in regular time, England managed to secure their spot in the EURO semi-finals through a dramatic 5:3 penalty shootout victory over Switzerland.
- With the victory, England remains hopeful for their first major football title since 1966, marking a 58-year drought.
- The penalty drama unfolded in front of 46,533 spectators in Düsseldorf, with England's Bukayo Saka equalizing Switzerland's lead scored by Breel Embolo.
- The EM quarterfinals saw England turn around an imminent EURO elimination, a feat they had previously achieved against Slovakia (2:1 n.V.).
- Switzerland, having demonstrated strong performances throughout the group stage and beating Italy (2:0) in the quarterfinals, now aims to make EURO history by reaching the final four teams.
- In Dortmund on Wednesday, the Swiss will face the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Turkey, seeking to salvage their dream of a historic coup.
- Gareth Southgate, leading England in his 100th game, relied on his regulars in the squad, despite critical voices about his unchanged squad in the previous lackluster games.
- Southgate's trust in his regulars backfired, however, as the team prioritized control and tempo but struggled to generate offensive potential and decisive power.
- The uncooperative Swiss, unimpressed by brief pressure phases from England, played freely and maintained order throughout the game, with Breel Embolo scoring the opening goal.
- The game saw Dan Ndoye providing a significant contribution with an assist to Breel Embolo, while Bukayo Saka's equalizer in the shootout extended the English hopes for EURO glory.
