England have advanced to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Switzerland. The match, held in Dusseldorf, ended in a 1-1 draw before England emerged victorious in the shootout.
Switzerland took the lead in the 75th minute through Breel Embolo, who capitalized on a low cross to put his team ahead. However, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka equalized for England just five minutes later with a spectacular long-range effort that beat Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
With no further goals in extra time, the game proceeded to a tense penalty shootout. England, known for their past penalty woes, displayed remarkable composure as they converted all five of their spot kicks. Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all found the back of the net from the penalty spot.
Switzerland, on the other hand, managed to score three of their four penalties, with Manuel Akanji being the only player to miss for the Swiss team.
One notable aspect of England's penalty takers was their diverse backgrounds, with all scorers having Black or Black heritage. This inclusivity and representation were particularly poignant in light of the racist abuse suffered by Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho after England's defeat in the Euro 2020 final.
The victory over Switzerland not only secured England's place in the semi-finals but also provided a positive narrative of unity and diversity within the team. Fans and observers on social media have celebrated the multicultural backgrounds of England's new heroes, highlighting a stark contrast to the discriminatory incidents of the past.
England's next challenge in the tournament will be against the winner of the Netherlands vs. Turkey match, scheduled to take place in Dortmund on Wednesday.
