BUKAYO SAKA showed enormous courage in pulling England out of a hole and going through on penalties against Switzerland, writes Tom Barclay.
The Three Lions looked to be on their way out when Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead in the 75th minute.
But Arsenal star Saka dragged England back five minutes later with a stunning strike against the post.
It went to penalties – just as it happened between these two teams five years ago in the Nations League.
And just like then, Jordan Pickford made a save – repelling the Swiss’ first shot from Manuel Akanji.
England were perfect from then on, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellignam, Saka, Ivan Toney and finally Trent Alexander-Arnold sending the Three Lions through to the semi-final.
See how players rated…
Jordan Pickford: 7
His heart was in his mouth when Xherdan Shaqiri’s extra-time corner hit the post and crossbar, but he then made a smart save to take the game to penalties.
Saved Manuel Akanji’s first penalty by diving low to the left.
Kyle Walker: 6
He spent most of the game on the right side of a three, meaning he was unable to advance. Embolo was ahead of him in Switzerland’s debut. The toss was won and penalties were awarded in front of the English fans.
John’s Stones: 6
Sharper passing in the first half, much better than Slovakia’s sloppy display, but his deflection from Dan Ndoye’s cross deflected to Embolo.
Ezri Konsa: 6
He was decent in the first half of his first match at a major tournament, but like the rest of the team, he collapsed after the break.
Kieran Trippier: 6
He was expected to play as a right-back, but returned to playing on the left.
Solid defensively, but, as has been the case throughout the tournament, offered little in attack from their abnormal side.
Declan rice: 7
Early and subsequently won a 50-50 series at the base of England’s midfield.
It was his decoy run that created space for Saka to find the corner, before his wonderful strike from 25 yards was denied by a flying save from Yann Sommer in extra time.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
Some decent runs from midfield. It looked like he would open the scoring just before half-time, after
Nice cut from Bukayo Saka, but it was denied by an excellent block from Granit Xhaka.
Bukayo Saka: 8 and STARMAN
He didn’t play at left-back as expected, but he was England’s most dangerous attacking player – and nothing more when he came to the rescue with his 80th-minute equalizer, which came off the post.
He showed great courage in the penalty shootout by scoring the penalty beautifully, three years after losing the last Euro final.
Jude Bellingham: 6
He produced some elegant dribbles that showed his quality in the first half, but they were quite calm.
He looked exhausted, but showed great cojones with his low penalty.
Phil Foden: 6
He admitted before the game that his central role would suit him better and it seemed that way for the first 20 minutes, but he disappeared after that.
Harry Kane: 4
This system just doesn’t suit him. He needs runners, but doesn’t look like he’s going to get them.
He simply couldn’t get into the game and was substituted in extra time, seconds after colliding with his coach on the touchline.
SUBS
Cole Palmer (for Konsa, 78): 7
One of three players to react to Switzerland’s opening goal – what took you so long, Gareth? He took England’s first penalty with ease.
Luke Shaw (for Trippier, 78): 6
First minutes of football since February, coming in on the left side of the back three as Southgate tried to break.
Eberechi Eze (to Mainoo, 78): 6
He gained a good amount of space for himself in the final moments, but shot wide.
Ivan Toney (To Kane, 109): 7
It was no surprise to see him arrive with the prospect of penalties on the horizon – what was more shocking was that it went to maestro Kane. He was brought down in the box at the end of extra time, but nothing was given. Confident penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden, 115): 7
Released late in overtime. He scored his penalty to win.
Gareth Southgate: 4
The tweaked three-back system worked to some extent, but still the approach seemed to be to hold it tight and count on a moment of magic.
Saka provided that for the leveler, but given the talent at his disposal, it seemed very limited.
It took a long time to make a change – motivated only by Switzerland’s advancement. But he made the right substitutions in the penalty shootout.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
