England faced Switzerland in a Euro 2024 quarter-final match with key events including Rice’s shot being blocked, a narrow miss by Embolo, and Switzerland’s attempts at goal being cleared by England’s defense. England, in a surprise move, lined up with a back four instead of the expected three at the back formation. Trippier and Saka were chosen as wing-backs instead of Alexander-Arnold.
The game started with Switzerland conceding a throw-in due to a misjudged pass and Sommer having his first touch. England kicked off and both teams engaged in back and forth play. Gareth Southgate made one change to the England lineup, with Konsa replacing the suspended Guehi. This match marked Southgate’s 100th game in charge, with speculation that it could be his last if England didn’t win.
The Swiss team, molded in Xhaka’s image, aimed to challenge England’s defense with Vargas, Embolo, and Rieder in their attacking lineup. Despite having recent lackluster performances, England needed to break out of their rut and push for a semi-final spot. With pre-match discussions focusing on Kane’s positioning and team formations, the game promised to be an exciting battle.
Ultimately, the match ended in a draw after regular time, leading to penalties. Both teams put on a competitive display, with Switzerland emerging as the victors in the penalty shootout. Switzerland’s win was seen as a testament to their cohesive team play and Xhaka’s influential leadership on the field.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
