Saka saves England with late goal against Switzerland: extra time again

Jan Hoeksema


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England and Switzerland failed to make a difference in the ninety minutes on Saturday night. In a duel that was not very exciting for a long time and became somewhat unleashed in the final phase, the score was 1-1 after regular playing time, meaning that extra time and possibly penalties will have to decide the outcome. Breel Embolo and Bukayo Saka scored the goals.

Gareth Southgate was forced to make one change to the England starting line-up. Marc Guéhi picked up a yellow card in the round of 16 against Slovakia and was suspended as a result. Ezri Konsa was his logical replacement. The rest started the Three Lions for the first time in this tournament in a 3-4-2-1 system, where they previously played with four defenders. Saka, who was reported in the English media as playing as a left wing-back, was posted on the right.

In Switzerland, there was less to do about the starting eleven. National coach Murat Yakin sent the same eleven players onto the field as against Italy (2-0). That meant starting places for ex-PSV player Ricardo Rodríguez and Embolo, among others.

The first half matched the course of England's tournament so far. The play was not great from either team and chances were few and far between, with not a single shot between the posts produced in the first 45 minutes.

Minor danger was created by Ruben Vargas, among others, but the Swiss midfielder saw that Dan Ndoye just couldn't get to his cross. England's most threatening moment came after a fine dribble by Saka. The Arsenal forward passed to Kobbie Mainoo, but his shot was quickly blocked.

The game loosened up a bit at the start of the second half. The first shot on goal came in the 51st minute and it was a big chance. Embolo was played into the opposition box, created space for himself by turning away and tried. His attempt was too soft and also went towards goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Shortly afterwards, a second chance followed for Embolo. A cross from the left flew towards him, but Konsa made it so difficult for the striker that Embolo could not produce a serious attempt on goal. Pickford picked up easily.

Fifteen minutes before the end, the deadlock was broken and it was Switzerland who took the lead. Not for the first time, Ndoye came up on the right. He reached the back line, where he gave a low and sharp cross to Embolo. On his way to the attacker, John Stones touched the ball, but he could not prevent Embolo from being reached at the far post, where he tapped in: 0-1.

After conceding the goal, England had to force something and to do so Southgate made three substitutions, including Luke Shaw, who was playing his first minutes of the tournament. The intervention seemed to have an effect, because less than two minutes later England drew level.

Saka was played in by Declan Rice on the right flank. The winger came inside and had the space to strike with his strong left foot. His low effort flew towards the far bottom corner, where the ball ended up in the net via the post: 1-1.

The goal against seemed to be what the English needed, because even after the equalizer the Three Lions dangerous. This happened partly through Harry Kane, who otherwise played an invisible match and could not make his mark in the final phase. Thus, after ninety minutes, the score was equal and both teams went to extra time.

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