Pickford Heroics Send England To Semi-Final

Jordan Pickford was once again England’s hero as the Three Lions came from behind to beat Switzerland on penalties and book their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with Everton’s No.1 making the decisive save in the shootout. 

It was another tight contest for Gareth Southgate’s men who struggled to convert good spells of possession into meaningful chances on goal for much of the contest.

Switzerland then broke the deadlock through Breel Embolo with a quarter-hour remaining, tapping past Pickford from point-blank range after Dan Ndoye’s cross had been deflected off former Everton defender John Stones and into his path.

Yet just five minutes later England were level after Bukayo Saka cut in from the right and curled a brilliant low strike into the far corner. 

The goal gave the Three Lions momentum, however, they failed to find the crucial winner and the game pushed over into extra time. Both sides had chances to steal the win, with Declan Rice going close from long range, while substitute Xherdan Shaqiri tried to catch Pickford out directly from a corner, yet thankfully his effort bounced off the post and away from danger. 

Unable to be separated after 120 minutes, the game went to penalties and Cole Palmer got England off to the perfect start before Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji stepped up to draw Switzerland level. Pickford, though, pulled off a great low save to push the defender’s effort away. 

Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all faultless from the spot thereafter, securing the Three Lions’ spot in the final four. 

Pickford, meanwhile, has now 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). 

Pickford and England will return to action Wednesday 10 July 8pm (BST) with their semi-final opponent set to be either the Netherlands or Turkey.