⚽ Euro 2024: England 1-1 Switzerland (5:3 on Penalties) - Better?
There have been rumours all week that Gareth Southgate was ready to make changes. The suspension of one of our best players in this tournament, Marc Guehi, made this inevitable with Ezri Konsa the most likely replacement. This was somewhat predictable but what was less so, was the change from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1 / 5-2-2-1 - playing Phil Foden in his favoured no. 10 role alongside Jude Bellingham.
When the team sheet came out, this was confirmed and for the width, it looked like Trippier would be the natural Right Wingback and Saka would have that role on the left - natural right and left footed players, providing width in their respective positions. This wasn't what happened though, with Trippier staying on the left and Saka on the right - raising the obvious question of where the width would come from.
It felt like some needed change although it didn't look much different on the team sheet and was the limit of Southgate's creativity.
1st Half
From kick off, it looked like it had 0-0 written all over it. Switzerland clearly didn't want to lose - a very conservative 5-4-1 without the ball, heavily relying upon Embolo to make something happen up top.
England were pressing much higher than usual too - something every player, pundit and fan has been crying out for.
Signs of improvement, but when 2 teams don't want to concede, it makes for the usual dull viewing. The 1st Half a non-event with neither Goalkeeper tested.
2nd Half
The 2nd Half wasn't much different. The 2 teams having spells of possession whilst the other was happy to defend but as the half reached the 60 minute mark, I could see England's bad habits coming back, with our defence slowly creeping back towards our own goal and Harry Kane (another no-show for him tonight) dropping into Midfield and condensing our play even more.
Murat Yakin (Switzerland's manager) probably sensed this, deciding to make a couple of subs to affect the game. Gareth Southgate, in typical Southgate fashion, doesn't notice these things quickly enough.
Whilst in control of the game, Switzerland and that man Embolo got their reward, going 1-0 up after Ndoye was able to knock the ball across for a tap in on 75 minutes.
75 minutes and once again, England hadn't had a shot on target.
Southgate finally made his move shortly after, an attack minded change of Palmer, Eze and the rather tubby Luke Shaw replacing Mainoo, Trippier and Konsa.
These changes and being the goal behind brought a new energy to the team and just like our game against Slovakia, our first shot on target was made to count.
Bukayo Saka, our best player on the night being allowed to cut inside and as we've seen him do so often, whipped the ball into the bottom corner to score a lovely goal.
It felt like we were on top after that but didn't do enough to carry the momentum - the game deservedly going to extra time.
Extra Time
There were moments during extra time where penalties looked inevitable. England with 11 men behind the ball and Switzerland literally stood still, waiting for any kind of England press.
Switzerland had their chances to win it though whilst England offered very little.
Penalties
England fans of my generation will loathe penalties. Losing to Germany at Italia '90 and then again in Euro '96. Argentina in 1998, then Portugal in 2004 and 2006. Italy in 2012 and then the final in 2020. A record of just 4 penalty wins from 11 attempts.
Younger fans might be more optimistic, seeing us win 3 of the last 4.
We should be good at penalties, with many being 1st choice for their clubs. Cole Palmer (9 out of 9 for Chelsea), Ivan Toney (29 out of 31 in all competitions), Bukayo Saka (10 out of 11 for Arsenal) and Eberechi Eze (7 out of 8). Even without Harry Kane - I had reason to be optimistic.
And fortunately so. Jordan Pickford saving from Manuel Akanji's opening kick with Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Toney and Trent all scoring confidently.
Who Next?
Before kick off, I'd have predicted another tough game against the Netherlands in the Semi-Final but with Turkey leading through a well worked Akaydin header, it could be a tasty test against the heavily supported Turks. A match-up that's could be as tasty off the pitch as it might be on it.
It was also interesting watching France's Quarter Final last night and the criticism that Didier Deschamps has received from the French media. Too negative. Too defensive. Remarkable parallels to England with the significant difference of France winning the World Cup in 2018. "Tournament Football" = Most Boring European Championships in its history.
Match Highlights
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Well, it was a win, so congratulations on that!
So now we have a final four that's pretty much "the usual suspects"... or at least teams we're not surprised are in the final four.
Frankly, I'd hate to pick from what we have here; probably like Spain's chances the best... at least they've scored some goals, the only team to have scored over 10, if my calculations are correct, and they do have a lot of attempts on goal in their ties.
Anyway, good luck going forward!
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I’m also tipping Spain to win the cup because their performances so far has been outstanding..
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I think that Spain will play to France’s strengths. Spain have been lovely to watch and get plenty forwards and then risk Mbappe hurting them on the counter.
The football lover in me would like a Spain v. Netherlands final but France and England’s defensive approach might grind out a result.
I’ll be glad when it’s over 🤣 Worst Euros in living memory.
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Great analysis, about the same thing I saw in this game, but my article is way less detailed than yours. I think England might just take this cup, luck is with them, and that is a good thing to have on your side. Spain have been the better team so far, but I did see some weaknesses against Germany.
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It's funny how 2 people can see the same thing and have different opinions - especially in football. You saw 2 goals attributed to poor defending and I saw one well worked move and one great strike - admittedly, the Swiss ball in into space should've been cut out and they should never have shown Saka inside.
Luck definitely seems to be on our side. Tomorrow night will be another tough game.
I think Spain has the best chances of lifting the cup this year. They've been playing systemic proper planned football, not too aggressive and not leaving too much space in the midfield. They've a solid chance with unreal pace on the flanks. France on the other hand hasn't been up to the mark till now. No goals from open play and into the semis.
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Ha ha - I think that Spain will get knocked out tonight. France don't score, but they don't concede either. Apparently, Mbappe has been in a lot of pain with his busted nose and hasn't been sleeping properly. Dembele looked very dangerous when he came on too.
It could definitely be a case of whether Nico Williams and Yamal can produce - Yamal's end product has been poor so far but they both look very dangerous.
I'm looking forward to another boring match and more extra time 🙂
Hello @the-gorilla
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Looks like the match was decided by Yamal.
The 1st half was good - 2nd half not so much.
Our turn tonight…
We're about to witness another Spain vs Netherlands final
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Not this year my friend… not this year
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Would have been better if y'all just exited in the semis. Imagine the heartbreak in the finals.... 😔
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Been there, done that 3 years ago. It wasn’t too bad. I simply shouted “Wankers” at the telly and went to bed.
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I love to read your analyses. I saw your bio and you mentioned about FPL. I'am playing FPL since 2016-17 season. I hope you continue posting about FPL here. After Twitter changed their name to X, I lost interest and feel boring. It will be great gain some information from you.
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I love FPL. I ran a league on Steemit for a few years but wasn't happy with all of the prizes getting withdrawn so I stopped doing it. It also took up a lot of time.
It sounds like they're changing the game slightly this year which will hopefully make it more interesting. It's been quite boring for the last few years although I did start playing in 2006/07 so it's understandable that I've lost a bit of interest 😆
Hahaha…😂😂 you can be so funny with your analysis but that is what actually happened. Their bad behavior was what brought about the goal..
But sincerely speaking, you guys have been the luckiest team so far!! Since this euro cup started.
England match against Netherlands is were the real match begins!! If England wins this, they’ll definitely win the cup!!
I also noticed the new hashtag: southgatecanstayfornow
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And this is what we find so frustrating. We were dropping deeper and deeper, even the commentators mentioned it so why wasn’t Southgate on the touchline screaming at them to push higher? Especially Kane. I just don’t understand why he waits for us to concede.
Our luck is simply the type of tournament it has been. 3 out of 4 teams qualifying from the group meant that 0-0 x3 would be enough. Then we have more of the same in the knockout stages. No point attacking and getting hit on the counter attack and just accept that every game will be a 0-0 grind.
Worst Euros Ever.
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