It came down to the wire yet again, but England have snuck into the Euro 2024 semi-finals after a penalty shootout victory over Switzerland this evening.
This was yet another lacklustre performance from Gareth Southgate's side, who failed to create any chances of note during the first hour or so of the game.
They could have had few complaints when Breel Embolo fired Switzerland in front with 15 minutes to play, holding off Kyle Walker to finish 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
Unfortunately, from a Swiss point of view, this strike would seem to spark a bit of life into England.
Bukayo Saka would level the game five minutes later.
🏴 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
Extra-time seemed to be calling at that point, with neither side looking like scoring over the remainder of the game.
That was also the case once the afters got underway, with the contest destined for penalties. England would hold their never once the shootout got underway, scoring all five of their spot kicks to seal their spot in the semi-finals.
🏴 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
READ HERE: Didi Hamann Rubbished Stephen Kelly's Odd Cristiano Ronaldo Euro 2024 Claim
Rio Ferdinand Offers Praise Of Gareth Southgate After Swiss Win
England continue to rumble on at Euro 2024, despite the fact that they have performed poorly in all five games in the tournament. Their displays have certainly not been worthy of reaching the final four, but a kind draw and few strokes of luck have helped them to that stage.
Gareth Southgate was seemingly allowing this game to pass him by, failing to make any tactical changes of note prior to the Swiss goal. He would make a triple change in reaction to that, with England equalising soon after.
The English boss has come in for some heavy criticism during this tournament and you got the sense that he was perhaps fortunate that a moment of brilliance from Bukayo Saka got him out of jail in this game.
Despite his lack of tactical nous on the sideline (something that has been trend during his tenure), Rio Ferdinand offered some bizarre praise for the 53-year old after the game.
Speaking on the BBC, he said Southgate deserved huge credit for the substitutions he made despite refusing to change the team until England fell behind.
You have to give him huge credit for [bringing on the subs], he deserves it. He made the decision.
We were sitting up here going 'what would you do', we were all fumbling about it. He's in the pressure cooker position and he makes a decision, and it comes off.
You've got to give him a high five...
We can talk about tactics and those things, but what is as important if not more, he has created a really solid environment.
We know what it has been like in England camps where we were at tournaments, it was a weak or fractured environment at times. When we got into time of duress we didn't know where to look.
These guys look at each other and find strength. He has created that with his backroom staff, he has to take huge credit fo that.
That certainly seems like a generous assessment of the changes, with Southgate making them out of desperation more than anything. Jamie Carragher was among those to criticise the manager for his indecisiveness during the match.
You may let a game drift when the opposition are better than you, not when you are superior. Change something now, be proactive!!! #EURO2024
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 6, 2024
In normal circumstances, you would say that England will need to massively improve on this performance in order to have a chance of advancing beyond the semi-final. However, the way things have gone for them in this tournament, it would not be surprising to see them produce another stinker before going on to win the game.
Everything just seems to be falling in place for them at Euro 2024.
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