Saka shines as England win shootout for semi-final spot

England win 5-3 on penalties

- MIGUEL DELANEY

It isn't always convincing, it is often confusing, but the results are as clear as Bukayo Saka's shot, and resolve: 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 squad 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. To have one moment in a tournament is something great players aspire to. To have two in one game, one when your team really needs it, another with so much individual meaning, is the grandest sign of quality and character. 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.

That was more than could have been said for the game itself. This was a gruelling 1-1 draw that forced both sides to physical and emotional limits. Switzerland might not fall into that bracket of "the first elite side England play" but they were by far the toughest test yet. They posed big questions, and almost caught England in a trap.

Southgate had a lot to figure out. There may still be questions over whether he found all the right solutions given it again needed individual moments around so many dangerous Swiss chances as well as a lot of luck - but that won't matter for now.