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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Draper at the Düsseldorf Arena

England 1-1 Switzerland (5-3 pens): Euro 2024 quarter-final player ratings

Bukayo Saka, the player of the match, is lifted in the air by Gareth Southgate.
Bukayo Saka, the player of the match, is lifted in the air by Gareth Southgate. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

England (3-4-2-1)

Jordan Pickford (GK) Stepped up for the crucial save from Akanji in the shootout. Very little to worry about until Swiss goal, for which he was wrong-footed by a deflection. Distribution much better. 8

Kyle Walker (RCB) Much better than against Slovakia. Less responsibility to go forward and back to being the solid defender he is. Untroubled for much of game. 7

John Stones (CB) Had looked very assured but then he failed to intercept the cross from which Switzerland took the lead. Recovered well. 6

Ezri Konsa (LCB) Blocks, interceptions, reading the runs of Rieder. Initially looked expert on the left. More difficult moments after break and sacrificed for Shaw. 6

Bukayo Saka (RWB) Perfect afternoon. A redemptive penalty, a brilliant goal to save England and, despite being a wing-back, this was the game he burst into life, constantly going past Aebischer on the right. 8 MOTM

Kobbie Mainoo (CM) Excellent first half, great awareness in moving the ball, striding into midfield. Gave Xhaka no peace. Less influence after break and withdrawn. 7

Declan Rice (CM) Knitted together attack and defence with usual energy and verve, good strike in extra time but less dominant than he would like. 6

Kieran Trippier (LWB) Still square peg in round hole. Did his best but all the old issues of turning inside remained. 5

Phil Foden (AM) Fizzed with more freedom and England’s most aggressive presser of the ball. Happier operating in a right-sided zone but still no killer moment. 6

Jude Bellingham (AM) Calmest penalty ever. Still looks determined to be the star man on all occasions. Feels like less would be more. But remained a threat. 7

Harry Kane (CF) Just not the Kane we know. Immobile, unable to win free-kicks or seemingly move with freedom. Dutiful all over the pitch but not a threat. 4

Subs

Luke Shaw (for Konsa 78) Seemed amazingly assured after five months out. Slotted in, dependable and gave England that left-footed outlet. 7

Cole Palmer (for Mainoo 78) Brilliant penalty. Energetic when forward, disciplined when he had to play a bit deeper. 7

Eberechi Eze (for Trippier 78) Looked dangerous, stretched Swiss with runs but snatched at shot he had. 6

Ivan Toney (for Kane 109) Penalty king as ever. Tried to cause chaos in extra time but less service this time. 7

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Foden 115) An England hero at last! His unforgettable moment for the Three Lions finally came. 8

Switzerland (3-4-3)

Yann Sommer (GK) Like Pickford, pretty much had the afternoon off until goal. Distribution fine. Had little chance with the Saka shot. 6

Fabian Schär (RCB) Excellent penalty, great pass for Ndoye to set up opening goal. Pretty solid at back but yellow card for blocking Bellingham. 8

Manuel Akanji (CB) Assured and controlled a below-par Kane with ease. Never looked stressed. Cruel then that he missed decisive penalty. 8

Ricardo Rodriguez (LCB) Good defensively and going forward when he could in the second half. A decent game all round. 7

Dan Ndoye (RWB) Provided the crucial cross for Embolo to score. Started the game deep, switched higher up the pitch after subs and made significant impact. 7

Remo Freuler (CM) Assured alongside Xhaka. First half was a test but asserted himself in second half and Switzerland grew into the game. 7

Granit Xhaka (CM) This was a tougher assignment with Mainoo snapping at his heels. Great challenge to save Switzerland with Mainoo poised on 44 minutes. 6

Michel Aebischer (LWB) Good in attack but constantly beaten by Saka, turned one way then the other. Was a hard game, though he improved. 5

Fabian Rieder (AM) First of the changes that Murat Yakin made after failing to provide the threat required. 5

Breel Embolo (CF) There when it mattered with foot out to score. Prior to that, dangerous only in moments but never enough interplay nor power. 7

Ruben Vargas (AM) Couldn’t make an impression in a quiet first half and made way for Widmer after the hour. 5

Subs

Silvan Widmer (for Vargas 63) Brought more incision to Swiss attack from wide, causing England problems down the right. 7

Steven Zuber (for Rieder 63) Again, a positive move by Murat Yakin, his movement across the front line worrying England. 7

Denis Zakaria (for Ndoye 98) Solid, slotted in but unremarkable. 6

Xherdan Shaqiri (for Embolo 109) Amazing corner on to the bar which almost caught out Pickford and a great penalty. 7

Zeki Amdouni (for Aebischer 118) Little time to impact but the coolest of penalties. 7

Vincent Sierro (for Freuler 118) No time to impact game and he didn’t even get to take a penalty. 5

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