England finds redemption in Euro 2024 win over Switzerland

Jordan Pickford. PA Images/Alamy Images

England finds redemption in Euro 2024 quarterfinal victory over Switzerland

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jul 6, 2024 5:57 PM ET

Having failed to win a major tournament in 58 years, England still has hope of ending the drought. On Saturday, it advanced to the Euro 2024 semifinals following a win over Switzerland, 5-3 on penalties, led by a powerful redemption story from two of its stars.

Nearly three years ago, to the day, Bukayo Saka, then only a teenager, missed a crucial penalty during England's loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 finals. However, on Saturday, he played a considerable role in the win over Switzerland, leveling the score with 10 minutes left in regulation before notching a massive tally during penalties.

SAKA EQUALIZES FOR ENGLAND MINUTES AFTER THE SWISS TOOK THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/SSVFObFW82
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 6, 2024

Afterward, Saka revealed what the victory meant for him.

"Last time we had a penalty shootout at the Euros, we all know what happened," Saka told reporters. "I have faith in God to come back from something like that. Today, I took the chance and I'm happy."

Netminder Jordan Pickford was alongside Saka three years ago as England left the pitch in tears. Similarly, Saturday was also a moment of redemption for him.

Like Saka, Pickford was ready to pounce on his chance after extra time. Armed with a list of Switzerand's penalty takers on his water bottle, he denied Manuel Akanji's opening penalty attempt, opening the door for an England victory.

4 - Jordan Pickford has saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments, twice as many as all other England goalkeepers combined saved between 1990 and 2012 (2 out of 36). Hero. pic.twitter.com/vspFL4aZLG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2024

From there, Saka, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold tallied penalty markers to send England to the semifinals.

The dream is still alive, but two more wins are necessary to capture it. England moves on to take on the Netherlands, which knocked off Turkey, 2-1, on Saturday.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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