England beat Switzerland live updates (2024)

England once again battled back from the brink at Euro 2024 as they defeated Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to reach the semi-final stage.

Every England player scored from the spot with Jordan Pickford saving Manuel Akanji’s first effort. Trent Alexander-Arnold converted the decisive penalty and England will now play either the Netherlands or Turkey for a place in next Sunday’s final.

Switzerland had taken the lead in Dusseldorf in the 75th minute when Breel Embolo poked home at the back post.

But England levelled the score five minutes later through a sublime strike from Bukayo Saka, with the Arsenal man also scoring in the victorious penalty shootout.

It wasn’t convincing. England very rarely are these days. But they are in the semi-finals of a major tournament for the third time in four tournaments under Gareth Southgate, beating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Breel Embolo poked the ball home from close range in the 75th minute and it looked as though England would not be able to respond.

However, Bukayo Saka cut inside from his right flank and shot in off the post with 10 minutes remaining.

England scored all five penalties in the shootout with Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji the only player to miss, and they made it through.

Here, our writers break down the big talking points of the match. Enjoy.

It currently looks like it will be Turkey who meet England in the semi-finals.

They lead Netherlands in Berlin 1-0, thanks to some Arda Guler magic and a header from Samet Akaydin on 35 minutes.

That’s the score at half-time, and you can follow all the action with us right here — in fact, I’m about to head over there myself.

Tell us again, how was game 100 for you?

I know what you’re thinking now. Harry Kane came off today — so what are his chances of making a Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday in Dortmund? Let’s ask him:

💬 “I had a bit of cramp there and tripped over the water bottles. Both my calves cramped up! But I’ll be fine.”

I am going to label this a Bukayo Saka appreciation post — because the Arsenal winger was arguably the best player on the pitch. He scored a fabulous goal.

None of which includes the narrative of what happened at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final, and his shootout impact this time.

Harry Kane💬 “Unbelievable. To play a new position to what he’s used to, to play the way he did with and without the ball for 120 minutes. Then to score the penalty in the manner he did… It was really special.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him and all the boys. And now we have to come down and get ready for a game in a few days.”

Gareth Southgate 💬 “So brave. He’s one of our best. We all know what he went through (after Wembley) and to deliver as he did… But not just him. Trent (Alexander-Arnold, Ivan (Toney), Cole (Palmer) is like an old man. Just fearless. Huge result, huge performance and we’re still in it.”

How about the England manager then? Here is Gareth Southgate’s immediate reaction to BBC Sport:

💬 “I just thought the players were brilliant. It was the best we’ve played. We caused them a lot of problems with the ball, Switzerland. They’re a really good side, hard to press and defend against. So to come from behind again and show the character we did…

“I spoke to the players about it. Winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. You’ve got to show all those other attributes to win, and we did that tonight.”

Jordan Pickford has now saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments — that is twice as many as saved by all other England goalkeepers COMBINED between 1990 and 2012.

Or in other words, two saves from 36 shootout penalties.

You do wonder if sometimes, Pickford deserves a bit more love than he gets — although it was a really bad penalty from Akanji too; one that stood out compared to the quality of all the others.

England scored all five of their penalties in that shootout against Switzerland today — and didn’t look like missing any of them either.

It’s just the second time in 10 major tournament shootouts that England have scored all of their penalties.

The previous time? That would be at Wembley against Spain at Euro 96 — although it was only four of them.

He is maybe the most convincing argument that England could still go on and win this tournament. After all, Jude Bellingham knows what it’s like to win things — and to be the one to win them.

Today, others shone brighter but Bellingham still did his bit. Here he is, also speaking to BBC Sport:

💬 “It’s probably our best performance of the tournament. I felt we had a lot of control and even when Switzerland took over, we were still quite comfortable. Still lacking those big chances too, but we had a lot of dangerous attacks and I’m proud of the boys.

“Then the things you can’t measure — character, mentality — we showed that in the shoutout. Players coming on, having 10 kicks of the ball and then taking a penalty with that much pressure and the whole country expecting.

“It’s a special thing and a special bunch of players.”

I mentioned the similarities with England and how France progressed against Portugal last night — and have now realised that both sides were missing their key attacking threat, captain and penalty taker come the shootout.

And both were fine.

Maybe England win out though, given they actually scored through one of their own players from open play.

Harry Kane didn’t get to take a penalty but maybe that was actually the difference? Here is the England skipper, talking to BBC Sport:

💬 “There were a few hearts skipping beats out there…but that was great resilience from the lads, to go behind with only 15 minutes to go, turn it up again and get the goal like we did. A fantastic finish from B (Saka). He deserves that.

“Then penalties are penalties. I wasn’t involved but felt comfortable with the lads. We do a lot of preparation.

“The only other shootout I watched was also against Switzerland in the nations league. Maybe I was a bit of a good luck charm.”

They like facing Switzerland in shootouts, it seems…

Bukayo Saka was one of the England players to fail in the penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 final against Italy — and all the fallout that produced. Today, he is smiling and loving what has just happened. He told BBC Sport:

💬 “I’m going to put this up there. It was special. The way we fought back and then going to penalties. We all know what happened last time…

“To come back from something like that (Euro 2020) was really difficult but I used it to make me strong, and today I took my chance.”

What a lovely moment for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is a wonderful player that just found himself a little misused earlier in the tournament. I love that he got to hit the winning penalty.

He’s just been speaking to BBC Sport:

💬 “Incredible. These are the goals we set for ourselves. The team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit, dug deep when it mattered most.

“We knew we were never going to run away with the game, so whatever it takes, no matter what, we win. That’s all that matters to us.”

Some wonderful scenes on that final penalty, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s face is a picture of calm. Of someone who had not a shred of doubt in how that was all going to play out.

Both sides now exchanging hugs after a dogged slog of a quarter-final.

Oh my, what a moment for England — who were in danger of creeping back into their shells in extra time.

How about those late Swiss chances?

But just like France last night, England got it done. Remarkable.

Trent Alexander-Arnold steps forward and absolutely drills it. It’s five from five from England, they win the shootout 5-3 — and ENGLAND ARE THROUGH to the Euro 2024 semi-finals!

• England: ✅✅✅✅✅
• Switzerland: ❌✅✅✅ -

He has to score to keep Switzerland alive, and Amdouni does just that. It’s 4-3 to England. One more to win it…

• England: ✅✅✅✅ -
• Switzerland: ❌✅✅✅ -