England are into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after another unconvincing performance having beaten Switzerland in a dramatic penalty shootout.
They started with more positivity than against Slovenia, but quickly regressed to what has been an underwhelming attacking standard since the beginning of the competition.
Just like in their last 16 win, Gareth Southgate's needed to go a goal behind before showing some spark with Breel Embolo giving Switzerland the lead in the 75th minute.
The striker stabbed home Dan N'doye's cross after John Stones inadvertendtly steered the ball into his path with Man City teammate Kyle Walker caught out at the back post.
🏴 0-1 🇨🇭
Breel Embolo breaks the deadlock, turning home Dan Ndoye's cross as John Stones fails to cut out the danger#euro2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/3IqzbXbYBf pic.twitter.com/xIru9DGNBM— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2024
The equaliser came through Bukayo Saka, who scored a cracker five minutes later to level things up in Dusseldorf.
🏴 1-1 🇨🇭
Bukayo Saka with a sensational equaliser for England. Beautiful curling effort#euro2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/3IqzbXbYBf pic.twitter.com/AOXl4pVM4W— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2024
Declan Rice almost gave his side a late lead from long range, but his effort was parried away by Yann Sommer.
🏴 1-1 🇨🇭
Declan Rice goes close with a 25-yard shot that had Yann Sommer scrambling#euro2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/3IqzbXbYBf pic.twitter.com/qiFJOqWMHg— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2024
Switzerland looked more likely as extra-time progressed, with Xherdan Shaqiri hitting the upright from a clever corner kick and Silvan Widmer then missing from close range prior to the penalty shootout.
🏴 1-1 🇨🇭
Xherdan Shaqiri very nearly catches out Jordan Pickford, who appreciates the effort #euro2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/3IqzbXbYBf pic.twitter.com/ZlfJvkMEky— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2024
England - who were famously beaten by Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final - banished some of those demons with a clinical succession of spot-kicks.
Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham dispatched their efforts either side of a miss from Manuel Akanji and Saka - who missed his effort in the final three years ago - extended the advantage.
Shaqiri stuck his into the corner of the net to keep his side in it before Brentford's Ivan Toney put his strike beyond Sommer and England within touching distance.
Zeki Andouni did his job, meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold had to find the net to send England into the semis.
Liverpool's set-piece specialist promptly drilled the ball into the top corner, to set up a clash with either the Netherlands or Turkiye on Wednesday.
🏴 5-3 🇨🇭 penalties
Trent Alexander-Arnold holds his nerve to book England's spot in semi-finals#euro2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/3IqzbXbYBf pic.twitter.com/J8vMnlFFrM— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2024
Kevin Kilbane notes historic trend which could mean England win Euro 2024
Former Ireland interational Kevin Kilbane, capped 110 times, was on pundity duty for Canadian network TSN for the fixture, where he raised a good point about England's prospects.
The former Everton player remains unconvinved by what he has seen from Southgate's side in possession, but noted why they remain a strong threat for Euro 2024 title glory.
While England are far from the most potent attacking side in the competition due to their tactical pragmatism, history shows that a conservative approach has paid huge dividends in the tournament in the past.
Greece famously won the title in 2004 on Portuguese soil, scraping through the group stages before progressing to the title with a series of unattratictive, single-goal victories.
Portugal themselves did similar at Euro 2016, relying on a cautious approach all the way to stunning France in extra-time in the final Paris.
England's philosophy has been eerily similar, as pointed out by Kilbane.
There is history at the Euros of the side that doesn't necessarily play the best football still go on to win it," he said.
"We have seen that with Greece in 2004 and Portugal in 2016, both of whom did not play an attractive style.
"I haven't enjoyed watching England in this tournament. They have so much talent at their disposal and I don't think Gareth Southgate is using that talent wisely.
"But they have got enough about them defensively where they look solid enough. They don't look like they are going to concede too often and that is their biggest strength I suppose.
"John Stones has been very good positionally, but they are not a great watch.
"England winning penalty shootouts is a rarity in itself but if they are winning them then they have got a chance."
That safety-first playing style did get Southgate's side as far as penalties in the Euro 2020 final, so it has proven to be effective - even if unattractive - in the past.
Their latest win came on Southgate's 100th game in charge and he is the first manager ever to guide England to four consecutive quarter-finals at major tournaments.
While there has been no silverware as of yet, his side have been difficult to beat.
