- Rashford, Saka and Sancho missed penalties for England in the Euro 2020 final
- Saka shone against Switzerland, this time scoring his penalty
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Jadon Sancho shared a heartfelt message to Bukayo Saka after England reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
The Three Lions beat Switzerland on penalties on a dramatic night in Düsseldorf, with Gareth Southgate’s team once again determined to reach the next round.
After falling 1-0 behind to Breel Embolo’s opening goal, Saka pulled England back into the match with a stunning individual performance in the 80th minute.
The quarter-final went to extra time and penalties, with the Three Lions winning all five of their penalties. Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s effort to send Southgate and his team through 5-3.
Arsenal star Saka coolly slotted home his penalty, while Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold also performed superbly from 11 yards.
Jadon Sancho praised Bukayo Saka after England advanced to Euro 2024 semi-finals
Saka saved England in regulation time, before the Arsenal star later scored in the shoot-out
Saka was one of five England players to score from 12 yards as they won 5-3 on penalties
Saka’s penalty and Player of the Match performance meant more than any other performance after the winger heartbreakingly missed a spot-kick in the Euro 2020 final, which England lost to Italy.
Back then, Saka, Marcus Rashford and Sancho were the unlucky stars who failed to find the net in the penalty shootout, which was the only penalty Saka had ever taken for his country until Saturday.
The trio were subjected to horrific racist abuse after the final and Saka’s calm penalty against Switzerland showed the courage to hide the scars of that setback three years ago.
And after the match, Sancho posted a message on his Instagram account praising Saka with the Arsenal star presenting him with the Player of the Match award. He said: ‘I’m so proud of this man @bukayosaka87!
“You did it for me and Marcus, brother!”, referring to the horrific abuse they endured together and the exorcism of the punishment demons.
Saka later responded to his former England team-mate’s heartwarming message, adding: “My boys.”
Saka was England’s best player in what was another thrilling quarter-final match of the tournament on Saturday, with the 22-year-old being his team’s main attacker.
He had four successful dribbles before half-time and showed a level of intent lacking in others until a moment of magic saved the Three Lions and sent the game into extra-time.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Saka said he was pleased with England’s progress, referring to the aforementioned penalty shootout defeat to Italy.
“The last time we went to penalties at the European Championship, we know what happened,” he said.
“I believe. I felt like we dominated the whole game and that the chance would come and I took it. I’m proud of that.
Sancho’s message was in reference to the Euro 2020 final, which saw England lose to Italy on penalties after Saka, Sancho and Marcus Rashford all missed their spot kicks in the shoot-out.
Sancho praised Saka, saying: ‘You did it for me and Marcus’, referring to that setback
Saka later responded to Sancho’s post, expressing his love for him and Rashford
“It’s (pressure) something I embrace. You can fail once and you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position again.
“I’m a guy who’s going to put himself in that position. I believed in myself.
“I’m not going to focus on the past. That’s happened. I can only focus on the present and on taking the penalty. Of course I know there are a lot of nervous people watching, including my family in the crowd. But I stayed calm and scored.”
England return to action on Wednesday when they take on the Netherlands in the semi-finals. On Saturday night, Ronald Koeman’s team came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1.