Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw lift lid on England's 'calculated' penalty shootout win over Switzerland and heap praise on 'really confident' Trent Alexander-Arnold

• e-mail

Bukayo Saka and Luke Shaw hailed England's penalty shootout victory over Switzerland as 'very calculated' and leaped praise on Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool star scored the winning goal.

England advanced to the final four at the European Championship on Saturday evening after being taken to penalties by Murat Yakin's side.

Manuel Akanji's miss proved to be decisive with Alexander-Arnold completing the 5-3 sudden death win that sets up a semi-final clash against the Netherlands.

Saka avenged his emotional Euro 2020 miss by scoring a brilliant penalty having previously forced extra time with an 80th minute strike, meanwhile it was a long-awaited return to action for Shaw.

The Manchester United full-back made his first appearance in five months when he came off the bench late in the game and watched from the halfway line as England were saved by spot-kicks.

Bukayo Saka (left) and Luke Shaw (right) explained England's penalty victory over Switzerland

Saka scored a brilliant penalty to help England complete their shootout win over Switzerland

Saka and his England team-mates will play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals

Shaw was analysing England's perfect penalty procession and insisted he never doubted Alexander-Arnold would miss in the high-stakes situation.  

'I was next to him the whole time and I was really confident, he seemed really relaxed, calm, like we said we have our routines anyway and we practice them a lot so everyone knew what they were doing,' he told the Lions Den.

'It was v calculated and we all knew what was going to happen so when he stepped up I had full faith in him and I knew he was going to score.

READ MORE

LISTEN: On today's EUROS DAILY, how England's newfound steel is helping Gareth Southgate's side come out on top in tight games as they chase Euro 2024 glory

'Declan was our speaker, he was calming everyone down and telling them to do their breathing techniques and manifest them. It was needed,' he added.

Shaw and Saka were both dramatically involved in England's final defeat against Italy three years ago with the United defender opening the scoring and the Arsenal star later taking a penalty.

Saka showed supreme confidence when scoring against Switzerland and dropped to his knees in emotional celebration when Alexander-Arnold secured England's advance in Germany.

Explaining his emotions, Saka said: 'I got on my knees to thank God because I know what it was like for me after the last penalty shootout for England. When I got up and saw everyone running I chased after them and to have that moment with the fans was special and I really enjoyed it.'

Shaw added: 'I think a bit of relief because of what we went through the last time we were in a shootout.'

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored England's winning penalty in the 5-3 sudden death victory

Shaw admitted he had 'complete faith' in Alexander-Arnold scoring the winning goal

Saka hailed the positive impact England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (middle) has on penalty-takers

Jordan Pickford got England off to the perfect start by saving Akanji's effort and Saka explained how the goalkeeper helps calm his team-mates in the tense circumstances, adding: 'Yesterday I think it was perfect timing for him to save the first one and it gave the boys so much confidence and made the next few takers more relaxed. Big shout out to him he gives us a lot especially in the shootouts.

'When he gives me the ball he doesn’t say anything and I prefer it that way. To have him there and give you the ball is perfect for the takers.

Shaw further added that Kyle Walker was helping Pickford guess the direction for Akanji's penalty with the pair team-mates at Man City: 'I think Walker was helping him as well. 

'If you find it, Walker was pointing to that side as well. I think he was going that way anyway but I think he had that extra help off Walker to know where to go,' he added.