England scorer Bukayo Saka called his side’s win over Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals of Uefa Euro 2024 “special” and said the Three Lions will “do anything” to win the title.
Saka was one of five England players to produce composed spot kicks in the shoot-out, having kept Gareth Southgate’s squad at the finals with a long-range curler 10 minutes from time in a game which finished 1-1.
“Last time we had a penalty shoot-out at the Euros, we know what happened,” said Saka, speaking to BBC Sport about his miss in England’s shoot-out in the 2020 final against Italy.
“I am going to put it up there – this was special, how we fought back and to take it to penalties. I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come. I took it – I am proud of myself for that.”
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Saka goal vs Switzerland
Arsenal livewire Saka cut inside in familiar style just outside the penalty area on the right and curled a precise finish beyond Yann Sommer to equalise five minutes after Breel Embolo’s tap-in for Switzerland.
Embolo’s 75th-minute strike was not against the run of play, putting Switzerland on course for the final four and England on the brink of elimination in Dusseldorf.
Unbeaten Switzerland, who outclassed Italy 2-0 in the round of 16, had looked increasingly dangerous before forward Embolo struck, the momentum seeming to change with two substitutions made by Murat Yakin midway through the second half, replacing Ruben Vargas and Fabian Rieder with Silvan Widmer and Steven Zuber.
England manager Gareth Southgate responded by introducing Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer and Luke Shaw for Kieran Trippier, Ezri Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo, the Manchester United defender making his first appearance for five months.
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Saka penalty: ‘Chance taken’ vs Switzerland
Southgate had started by switching to a back three for the first time at the finals, using the dependable Saka as a left wing-back rather than in midfield.
Saka felt a justifiable sense of redemption after the torment of his misfortune in the previous final. “To come back from something like that is really difficult,” he acknowledged. “Today I took the chance.
“It shows how much we want to win this tournament. Hopefully, we can win the next game in 90 minutes – but if this is what it takes, we will do anything.”
England will play Turkiye or the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 BST), with the final against Spain or France in Berlin on July 14.
