England v Switzerland LIVE: Result and reaction, Trent Alexander-Arnold settles penalty shootout in Euro 2024 quarter-final

It isn’t always convincing, it is often confusing, but the results are as clear as Bukayo Saka’s shot: England are in Gareth Southgate’s third major semi-final after a shootout victory over Switzerland. They are now two games from glory, even if the football doesn’t always evoke that feeling.

That won’t matter to the team and it often doesn’t matter to a tournament. England have found a way. Through that, Gareth Southgate may have found a team. The introduction of Luke Shaw may end up as influential as anything else in this tournament, with a game that required others to make the difference.

Above all was Saka, who rescued England with a piece of individual brilliance, and then continued to bury the memory of Euro 2020 with another supreme penalty. Next was Jordan Pickford, who made the fateful save from Manuel Akanji. That ended up being all that was required, as all of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold slotted home with minimum fuss, and maximum precision.

“Gareth Southgate deserves a lot of credit. There was a lot of pressure on and he has made a lot of serious calls, the in-game subs worked.”

“The initial feeling is one of sadness and disappointment, because we didn’t deserve to lose like this. On the other hand, we can be proud of ourselves.

“From the first game until today, we kept improving and we showed great character, great team spirit and we always told ourselves ‘to beat us, it will take a lot’. “

“It was a great game from both sides. We went in front but England played better than their previous games. In the end, it’s 1-1 and it went to penalties, which are always 50/50. England showed better nerves today, and they won.”

Another game for England without entertaining the masses, but another step closer to the Euro 2024 final – and perhaps another hint as to where the future lies, whether that comes during this tournament or not.

Not from another one-paced, uninventive display. Not with the supposed tactical shift either, which did little to change the speed of England’s play or the way they constantly checked inside to play safe and create too little. But if the original 90 minutes didn’t contain sufficient drama, their second late equaliser in as many matches and a subsequent penalty shootout victory perhaps offered just enough.

Instead, the big positives for England to take might be from what they didn’t do to start with: the changes made, the introductions of personnel and pace, the ability they clearly possess to alter their approach in important stages of games

“I am so proud of the players. I thought we played well. We had to defend extremely well as a team. We caused them problems with the way we used the ball. We had a big threat with Bukayo down the right for the whole game.

“We were happy with the performance and then you go behind and you have to show other characteristics. The players showed their resilience, desire and character and forced their way back into the game.

“Extra-time could have gone either way and excellent composure to score all the penalties.”

“It hurts. We put so much effort in, created so many chances. I’m sad for the lads, and for the nation. England didn’t have many chances and we created quite a few of our own. We don’t deserve to be going home but we can be really proud.

“We don’t need to hide any more. We were eliminated because it wasn’t quite enough today. A penalty shoot-out is a matter of luck and we didn’t have it. We have caused the big teams a lot of problems so we exit with our heads held high.”

England have reached the European Championship semi-finals in consecutive tournaments for the first time. Indeed, since the group stage was introduced in 1980, the Three Lions had only got to that stage once before the appointment of Gareth Southgate – doing so at Euro 96 with Southgate playing in every game that tournament.

Southgate appeared to shift to a three-man defence for the clash on Saturday.

Speaking prior to the match, Foden said: “Let’s see if it works, I am looking forward to it. For me, I’ll be more centrally and staying inside. I think it will suit me a little bit better today.”

Southgate’s team were praised by BBC Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand during their half-time analysis.

Richards said: “It’s been delightful to see Foden in a position where he can have an impact on the game.”