England v Switzerland – live reaction: Trent Alexander-Arnold settles penalty shootout in Euro 2024 quarter-final

The first half showed flashes of improvement from a slightly altered Three Lions line-up, and Gareth Southgate’s side dominated, but they were too often pedestrian as Switzerland looked comfortable in defence.

The second half started in the same way, but the Swiss turned the tables with a spell of dominance that later provoked a surprise goal, with Breel Embolo giving them the lead on the 75th minute.

It can’t have been easy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He started in the line-up for the first couple of Euro 2024 matches but was dropped as England searched for more balance. He came on very, very late in the game and was asked to score the most crucial of penalties.

Nerves of steel from the Liverpool man.

The left-footed strike from the edge of the box equalised the score to 1-1, much to the joy of fans watching in London.

Where just moments before there had been total silence, drinks were thrown into the air and people were shouting with joy.

One man even tried to crowd-surf, but his fellow fans seemed to be just too caught up in their own relief and celebration to properly notice.

A bit of insight from Trent Alexander-Arnold, England’s matchwinner, who said: “Incredible. These are the goals we set for ourselves. Again going behind the team showed a lot of character and dug deep when it mattered the most.

“We knew we were never going to run away with the game though that would have been nice.”

Alan Shearer reacting on BBC One: “They can still do better, they can still do more but they’re through and that’s the most important thing.

“Big players produce in big moments and they’ve done that tonight.”

It’s heart breaking for Switzerland who played beautifully today and were on top in the closing stages of extra-time. The England fans are singing away inside the stadium.

They’ll be hanging around Germany for a while longer.

Five out of five for England. A save from Jordan Pickford. The Three Lions go on, they’re into another major tournament semi-final under Gareth Southgate.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has this kick to win the shootout for England. He takes his time, composes himself…

… scores! Smashes it into the back of the net!

Zeki Amdouni hasn’t been on the pitch for long and now he needs to score. Pickford jumps around so Amdouni goes down the middle.