England’s winger Bukayo Saka had to face the brunt after he missed from the spot-kick in the Euro 2021 final against Italy at the Wembley Stadium. However, it was redemption for Arsenal’s player when he helped the Three Lions equalize against Switzerland in the quarterfinal at the Merkul Spiel Arena on Saturday.
Breel Embolo had put the Swiss in front in the 75th minute but England’s first attempt on goal was a successful one by Saka. Furthermore, Saka scored in the penalty shootout as only Manuel Akanji missed, with Jordan Pickford making a good save.
“To come back from something like that was really difficult. I used it to make me stronger. Today I took the chance and I’m happy,” the Arsenal winger said.
“It was special, special, how we fought back … Last time we took a penalty shootout at the Euros, you all know what happened. I’m so proud of everyone how we got over the line.
“I believed. I felt that we dominated the whole game, that the chance [for a goal] will come. And it did come and I was the one that took it, so I’m proud of myself for that.”
After Saka was racially abused online in 2021 for missing the penalty, Gareth Southgate was the first to put an arm around his shoulder. Southgate showered praise on the 22-year-old, who has come a long way in his career after that incident.
“[Saka] is so brave,” Southgate said after England booked their place in the semifinals, where they will face the Netherlands on Wednesday. “He’s one of our best. So we were never in any question that he was going to take one [penalty].
“But we all know what he went through. And to deliver as he did.”
England doesn’t have a great record in penalty shootout but Saka was calm under pressure as he found the back of the net.
“You fail once, but I’m the sort of guy who wants to put myself in the position again,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of nervous people watching, like my family, but I kept my cool and scored my penalty.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who came on as a substitute, took the winning penalty for England and said he was ready for the big moment as they practice a lot doing the same drill.
“It’s what we practice, a lot of practice goes into that moment, the moments that I enjoy,” Alexander-Arnold told the BBC after the game.
“My belly doesn’t drop, I enjoy it, I practise it. I knew what spot. I knew I just needed to execute it. And I went out and did that.”
England will take on the Netherlands in the semifinal on Wednesday night.
