Gareth Southgate was like a proud father when talking about Bukayo Saka after England reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday night time.
The Arsenal star was essential to the Three Lions’ win over Switzerland in Düsseldorf, cancelling out Breel Embolo’s aim within the second half earlier than changing from the spot within the penalty shootout.
England transformed all 5 of their makes an attempt from twelve yards out, whereas Jordan Pickford denied Manuel Akanji to see the staff progress to the final 4 for a second successive Euros.
Southgate now holds the excellence of being the one Englishman to be concerned in three semi-finals at a European Championship, having been a participant in 1996, the place he missed within the shootout defeat to Germany, and supervisor in 2021 and this summer time.
Learn – Saka shakes off penalty nightmare to avoid wasting England at Euro 2024
“I’m so happy with the gamers,” Southgate informed BBC Radio 5 Dwell. “I assumed we performed properly. We needed to defend extraordinarily properly as a staff. We triggered them issues with the way in which we used the ball. We had an enormous menace with Bukayo down the suitable for the entire recreation.
“We have been pleased with the efficiency and then you definitely go behind and you need to present different traits. The gamers confirmed their resilience, want and character and compelled their approach again into the sport. Additional-time might have gone both approach and wonderful composure to attain all of the penalties.”
The competition was a dour one by which England created little or no of notice, and it wanted a second of magic from Saka to maintain their Euros dream alive. The 22-year-old then banished reminiscences of his penalty miss within the Euro 2020 closing by clinically ending previous Yann Sommer within the shootout.
“We’ve got complete belief in him. His all-round efficiency was phenomenal for the staff. To point out the fortitude to transform the penalty as he did, I really like all of them however I needed to give him an additional massive hug.
“I do know myself these experiences form you. He has come again stronger, nonetheless resilient and liked. Tonight his match ignited slightly bit.”
As for the opposite penalty takers, Southgate remarked: “There’s Ivan (Toney), Cole (Palmer), Jude (Bellingham), Trent (Alexander-Arnold) who might have felt his match is completed however we all know he’s an distinctive penalty-taker with good nerve. All of them confirmed up below stress.”
England will now face the Netherlands within the subsequent spherical for a spot within the closing.
Learn – Penalty hero Alexander-Arnold hails ‘unbelievable’ England win
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