England faced Switzerland in the 3rd quarter-final game of the Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate’s side prepared to face a tougher opponent compared to their last game. Their previous game against Slovakia saw them tussle for a late-minute equalizer.
This eventually pushed the game to extra time. The Three Lions, being the more equipped side in squad depth, edged the Slovaks before the extra time got exhausted. However, against Switzerland, it seemed to be a different ball game.
Gareth Southgate had switched to a 3-4-3 formation. Using four players in the middle. He had placed Saka and Trippier as wingbacks while Mainoo and Rice stood in the double pivot, completing the 4 in the middle. England now attacked with Bellingham, Foden, and Kane.
England Subdues Switzerland: First Half
England started the game with a lot of intensity. Switzerland struggled to keep hold of the possession. The English team pressed at every angle of the pitch. This hindered spaces for the Swiss team to exploit. However, when England found possession, they weren’t very effective.
Bukayo Saka tormented the Switzerland players on the right flank, delivering some cutbacks and low crosses. Moreover, the Switzerland defense held on. The pressure from the English team lingered, and Switzerland could not make any shot on target.
England struggled to find a way around the game as Switzerland also proved to be disciplined at the back. The first half ended as both teams looked to struggle at one thing or the other.
Switzerland saw themselves as unable to control the game. England on the other seemed blunt as usual and they kept failing to create scoring chances.
Second Half and Extra Time
The 2nd Half seemed different for Switzerland as they looked to be more direct. They soon started to move the ball quicker, causing England to have a lot to think about.
The likes of Granit Xhaka found their rhythm and started controlling the midfield. England soon found themselves pegged back to their other half. However, Switzerland still couldn’t find a goal, as they kept failing to connect well in the final third.
After a series of attacking progression from Switzerland, they finally found a breakthrough. A square playing pass was poorly cleared by Stones allowing a free Embolo to tap into the goal. England found themselves behind again. Southgate brought in fresh legs in the name of Eze, Palmer, and Shaw.
Luckily for England, they managed to pull one back on time. Saka darts around near the box and he fires a low curler into the goal. The Equalizer saw England push the games into the extra time.
At Extra Time, it was more of a balanced game as both teams looked to threaten. Switzerland, moreover, looked to see more clear-cut chances. Shaqiri who was brought in late had a corner rattling the bar, scaring Pickford and the English players.
In the end, neither team could find the winner, and it was time for Penalty Shootout.
All English players were able to score their Penalties. Bellingham, Saka, Toney, Palmer, and Trent had all beaten Sommer. However, on Switzerland’s end, Akanji failed to score his, as all his remaining teammates did. This allowed England to win 5-4 on Penalties.
Southgate on the Win
Gareth Southgate had been joyous over his team’s performance and afterward expressed his view on the game.
I just thought the players were brilliant. It’s the best we have played,
I thought we caused them a lot of problems. They are a really good side. They are hard to press, they are hard to defend against, and their movement is good.
To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, talking to the players about that, winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. It’s not just about that. You’ve got to show other attributes to win and we showed them all tonight.
We played well today, and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.
We knew we needed to get pressure on their back three and that’s not easy without changing the shape. I thought the players were disciplined with it.
I thought Phil was a real problem for them to pick up, Kobbie and Jude were finding those gaps on the side of their block. I thought we had good control. For some of the balls into the box, we probably needed more men in the box, but l thought it was the best that we have played.
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