Manchester United legend Paul Scholes reacted to England beating Switzerland in a penalty shootout to book their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The Three Lions won 5-3 on penalties on Saturday (July 6) in Dusseldorf after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Gareth Southgate's men haven't had the best of experiences with spot-kicks, having lost 3-2 to Italy in the Euro 2020 final after a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire scored the first two spot-kicks but consecutive misses by Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka cost them their first European title.
Of the three players who played the final in 2021, Saka made it to Euro 2024, and his 80th-minute screamer kept England's hopes alive of making it to consecutive Euro finals. Earlier, Breel Embolo had scored for Switzerland in the 75th minute following a sedate start to the game before Saka levelled proceedings.
In the shootout, all five England players converted their penalties, including Saka, who had squandered his spot-kick in 2021, redeeming himself. For Switzerland, Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji turned up to take the first penalty, but Jordan Pickford dove to the left and saved his shot.
Paul Scholes shared an image of Saka hugging Southgate and wrote:
"Ba**s the size of melons."
The Three Lions take on Netherlands in the semi-finals on July 10 (Wednesday) in Dortmund.
England coach Gareth Southgate started Kobbie Mainoo in midfield instead of Trent-Alexander Arnold
England manager Gareth Southgate has been heavily criticised after he deployed Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield alongside Declan Rice.
The 25-year-old has played as a midfielder on several occasions but failed to hit the ground running in England's group-stage matches and was substituted after half-time in the first two games.
As a result, fans and pundits urged Southgate to start Kobbie Mainoo with Rice in midfield. Alexander-Arnold was brought into the game in the 115th minute of extra time, replacing Phil Foden, and converted the fifth spot-kick to take the Three Lions to the semi-finals.