England secures spot in Euro semifinals after penalty shootout win over Switzerland

England has advanced to the semifinals of the European Championship for the second consecutive time, following a thrilling 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Switzerland at Euro 2024. The quarterfinal match ended in a 1-1 draw before Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to score the decisive penalty and secure England's place in the final four. This achievement comes after England's loss in the final of the previous edition of the tournament, SSP reported.

Switzerland took the lead in the 75th minute when Breel Embolo tapped in a close-range goal, but England quickly responded as Bukayo Saka equalized with a stunning left-footed strike just five minutes later. With both teams unable to break the deadlock in extra time, the game was decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

Jordan Pickford made a vital save from Manuel Akanji's penalty, which proved to be a turning point in the match as England converted all their spot-kicks successfully. England's victory marks a significant step in dispelling their notorious record in penalty shootouts at major tournaments, including their defeat to Italy in the final of the previous Euros. Prince William was present at the Düsseldorf Arena to witness England's triumph.

In the upcoming semifinals, England will face the Netherlands, who secured their place by beating Turkey 2-1 in Berlin on the same day. The showdown between these two teams promises to be an intriguing encounter.

"It is what we have practiced," said Alexander-Arnold in his post-match interview. The versatile substitute added that executing his penalty was a result of preparation and confidence, emphasizing the team's overall performance. "All five penalties from us were great," he said.

England entered the match with some doubts surrounding their offensive displays at Euro 2024. They had relied on late heroics from Jude Bellingham in the round of 16 against Slovakia, arousing questions about their offensive capabilities. However, the first half against Switzerland showcased a more assertive England, with Bellingham playing a significant role in midfield.

Switzerland's captain, Granit Xhaka, who had an exceptional season with Bayer Leverkusen, was influential in his team's possession-based style of play. The Swiss team put immense pressure on England's defense in the second half, and their persistence paid off with the goal from Embolo.

England responded by making changes from the bench, but it was one of their starters who made the impact. Saka, displaying his liveliness throughout the game, cut inside from the right wing and unleashed a powerful shot that found the net courtesy of a slight deflection off the far post. This was England's first shot on target, equalizing the score and ultimately sending the match into extra time.

In the additional minutes, Yann Sommer, Switzerland's goalkeeper, produced a remarkable save to deny Declan Rice's long-range effort, maintaining the stalemate. As the game approached penalties, Xherdan Shaqiri's corner caused some late drama, striking the crossbar.

Cole Palmer scored first in the penalty shootout for England, and Akanji failed to convert his spot-kick, with Pickford making an important save. Saka, Ivan Toney, Bellingham, and Alexander-Arnold completed England's flawless penalty kicks, securing the victory with Sommer unable to make any stops.

England's current squad demonstrated composure and resilience, not bowing to the weight of history and advancing to the semifinals despite the legacy of past penalty shootout disappointments. Gareth Southgate, in particular, can relate to the pressure of penalties, having missed a crucial spot-kick in England's semifinal defeat to Germany in Euro 1996. However, this young and determined England team showed their mental strength to secure their place among the top four teams in Europe.