Trent Alexander-Arnold converted the winning spot kick in a penalty shootout to send England into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after Manuel Akanji missed for Switzerland.
Alexander-Arnold fired into the top left corner to send pre-tournament favourites England through, winning the shootout 5-3 after the match was level at 1-1 after extra time.
Breel Embolo had put Switzerland ahead after 75 minutes when he poked home from close range after John Stones failed to clear, and Bukayo Saka levelled for England five minutes later with a brilliant strike in off the far post.
England will meet either Netherlands or Turkey, who play later last night.
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Pedri will miss the remainder of Euro 2024 after suffering a ligament injury in his left knee early in his side’s dramatic 2-1 quarterfinal win over hosts Germany on Friday.
The 21-year-old left the pitch in tears in the first minutes of the match after a heavy challenge by Germany midfielder Toni Kroos.
“Following tests, Pedri has a grade two sprain in the medial collateral ligament of his left knee. The player will remain with his teammates until the end of the current training camp, which is focused on the Euro 2024,” the Spanish FA (RFEF) said in a short statement yesterday.
Kroos, who announced his expected retirement from football after Germany’s loss, posted a farewell message on his social media accounts in which he also apologised to Pedri. “I would like to say something very important: I apologise to Pedri and hope he feels better soon! It was obviously not my intention to hurt you. I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best. You are a great player,” he wrote.
Pedri’s injury forced Spain manager Luis de la Fuente into an early change, bringing on Dani Olmo, who was named player of the match with a goal and an assist.
Spain face France in Munich on Tuesday in their semifinal and will also be missing centre-back Robin Le Normand, suspended after receiving his second booking in the tournament, and Dani Carvajal, who was sent off in the final minutes of Friday’s match in Stuttgart.
Carvajal’s red card was a fitting conclusion to an ill-tempered and nerve-racking encounter between two of the most impressive sides at Euro 2024.
There were 38 fouls in the match and 16 bookings as referee Anthony Taylor flashed cards in an attempt to calm the situation, with Spain having to dig deep to earn their victory, thanks to a Mikel Merino header in the last moments of extra time.
Meanwhile, Portugal are facing a tough question as they head home from Euro 2024: Do they still need Cristiano Ronaldo?
Friday’s 5-3 loss to France on penalties in their quarterfinal after a goalless stalemate summed up Portugal’s disappointing campaign, a festival of missed chances in which Ronaldo failed to score apart from in the penalty shootouts.
Now 39, Ronaldo lacked his trademark speed, explosion and agility, wasting chance after chance as his teammates obediently passed the ball to him, disrupting Portugal’s tempo and slowing them down.
Portugal’s future over the last few years has looked bright as they have a strong generation of talent, including outstanding players in their prime such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Vitinha.
Former manager Fernando Santos tried to move on from the ageing Ronaldo, relegating the once talismanic player to the bench during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after he failed to make an impact. But after their shocking defeat to surprise package Morocco in the quarterfinals ended with Ronaldo running to the tunnel in tears, Portugal decided to part ways with their long-time coach and stick with the five-times Ballon d’Or winner.
Newcomer Roberto Martinez trusted Ronaldo with the captaincy and a leadership role and, instead of building a team around his rising stars, he deployed them as a supporting cast around Ronaldo so the forward could get another shot at glory in Euro 2024.
Instead, it was another tale of hope turned to disappointment and under-achievement on the biggest stage for Ronaldo. — Reuters
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