England 1-1 (5-3 on pens) Switzerland
England are through to the Euro 2024 semi-finals thanks to a penalty shootout win over Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
With only the second shot on target in the game Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead with just 15 minutes left on the clock, then Bukayo Saka hit back immediately for the Three Lions before a goalless extra time took us to penalties.
Jordan Pickford saved from Manuel Akanji and that was the only miss; Trent Alexander Arnold hammering home the vital fifth.
Despite England’s struggles through the tournament so far, the Euro 2024 betting odds
have stuck by the Three Lions, mainly because they landed on the ‘easier’ side of the draw. But, after pulling off a great escape in the Round of 16 against Slovakia, scoring a 96th minute leveller before winning in extra time; this clash with Switzerland was certainly one to be wary about.
But they are through and England fans can dare to dream
Highlights of the game
With Marc Guehi suspended, England boss Gareth Southgate called up Aston Villa centre back Ezri Konsa to complete his defensive line-up, and he had an early confidence booster, getting a flicked header away when a dangerous Switzerland cross came in. And, in a bright opening, Kobbie Mainoo had a fierce shot blocked after a slick England move. Then the Manchester United youngster made a driving run into Swiss territory before the door was shut by the excellent Akanji.
Jude Bellingham has been the man on the spot for England twice already, with goals against Serbia and Slovakia, and he was the closest to making a first half breakthrough. When Saka curled a ball into the danger area the Real Madrid man just needed a touch to beat Yann Sommer but he missed his connection. And, just before the break, Granit Xhaka put in a superb challenge to stop Mainoo pulling the trigger.
England started the second half brightly but the first shot on target came from Switzerland, when Embolo turned Konsa and got his shot away, but straight at Pickford. And then, midway through the second half, Michel Aebischer had a chance when a poor defensive header dropped nicely for him but he volleyed his effort well over.
England were sitting deeper and deeper and, eventually, they paid. Fabian Schar slipped a ball through to Dan Ndoye and his cross took a flick off John Stones before Embolo slid in at the back post to score.
But then, once again for the Three Lions a moment of magic got them back in the game; and it was the lively Saka who cut in on the right and hit an arrow of a shot in off the post to pick the England fans up off the floor.
Extra time; and Declan Rice fired in a beauty of a shot which Sommer stretched to tip around the corner and then Bellingham tested the Swiss keeper who read his shot well. Switzerland had a late crack at goal but Schar was off target, and then Xherdan Shaqiri hit the crossbar with a cleverly taken corner. Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni hit a fierce strike which Pickford managed to keep out… and penalties it was.
Key statistics
Murat Yakin led the Swiss team into the game unchanged and looked typically solid in a first half of few chances. In fact, this was only the second game of the last 69 knockout matches at European Championships to have no shots on target in the first half, along with Poland vs Croatia back in 2016. And, by the way, Portugal won the tournament that year.
The second half saw shots on target and two goals but this as not a game packed with goalmouth action.
Switzerland have never reached the semi-finals of a major tournament, but they came mightily close on Saturday night.
Swiss defender Fabian Schar put in an all action display, and in the process picked up his eighth yellow card at European Championships, more than any other player in the competition’s history.
What’s next?
Victorious England will play the winners of Saturday night’s game between the Netherlands and Turkey and then all the weekend’s Euro 2024 results will be in. and with 48 games played and three to go…the biggest week of all is upon us.
SBOTOP’s coverage of the semi-finals will include previews, the best Asian Handicap Betting offers and updates and highlights as the action unfolds. The other semi-final match pitches France and Spain together… and that is one to get excited about for sure.
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