NEW DELHI: England secured a spot in the
Euro 2024 semi-finals
by defeating Switzerland on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. They will face the Netherlands, who overcame Turkey in the other quarter-final match.
The game in Duesseldorf was largely uneventful for the first 75 minutes until Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead by sliding in at the back post to convert
Dan Ndoye
's deflected cross.
However, England responded quickly, with Bukayo Saka scoring a fine goal from wide on the right, finding the far corner of the net to level the score just five minutes later.
Despite a close call from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri, who hit the woodwork directly from a corner late in extra time, the match remained tied and proceeded to a penalty shootout.
England converted all of their penalties, while Switzerland's Manuel Akanji was the only player to miss, with his attempt saved by Jordan Pickford.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored their penalties to send England through to the semi-finals, helping to ease the pain of their shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
"We are not going to stop fighting, we are in another semi-final and we'll see where we can get to," said Southgate, who marked the victory in his 100th game in charge with a dance in front of the England fans.
"Every now and then you think surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job. If I can't enjoy that moment the whole thing is a waste of time," he added.
Switzerland's journey in major tournaments has been marked by a series of heartbreaking defeats. The Swiss team has managed to reach the quarter-finals on five separate occasions, encompassing both the World Cup and the European Championships. However, they have been unable to progress further, losing all five of these crucial matches.
"Of course it hurts a lot when we made such an effort and had the chances we had. I'm very sad for the lads and the nation that after a performance like that we have to leave the tournament," said their coach, Murat Yakin.
England will remain in Germany for a semi-final clash against the Netherlands on Wednesday in Dortmund, following the Swiss team's departure. The Dutch side secured their spot in the last four after overcoming a one-goal deficit to defeat Turkey 2-1 in Berlin during Saturday's other quarter-final match.
Turkey took the lead in the first half when Samet Akaydin, who was filling in for the suspended Merih Demiral, headed in from Arda Guler's cross in the 35th minute.
Demiral, Turkey's two-goal hero in their last-16 victory against Austria, was banned for this game due to making a controversial salute, which led to a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and Germany in the lead-up to the match at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the game, along with tens of thousands of supporters who greeted every prolonged Dutch possession with a chorus of whistles.
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the Netherlands maintained their composure and found an equalizer 20 minutes from the end when Stefan de Vrij scored with a powerful header from Memphis Depay's cross.
The Dutch then secured the victory six minutes later when Mert Muldur inadvertently turned a low Denzel Dumfries cross into his own net while under pressure from Cody Gakpo.
This win was sufficient for the Netherlands, who last won the Euros in West Germany in 1988, to progress to their first semi-final at the tournament since 2004.
"Tonight we had to dig very deep and I am proud of these guys," captain
Virgil van Dijk
told broadcaster NOS.
"We want to fulfil our dream and we are one step closer."
Spain and France are set to face off in an exciting semi-final match in Munich on Tuesday. The victorious team from this encounter will progress to the final, which is scheduled to take place in Berlin the following Sunday. The winner of the other semi-final will also secure their spot in the championship match.
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