Perhaps it is coming home after all, if even a penalty shootout cannot derail a below-par England at Euro 2024 this summer.
In this tournament, where plentiful big guns have not been able to get going, penalties always felt inevitable.
With only two previous penalty shootout victories in major tournaments, such scenarios only induce fear among supporters. With such expert marksmen from 12 yards in the ranks this time around, though, England are perhaps a team to be feared when a decider is needed.
Here’s how we rated England’s players out of 10:
Jordan Pickford – 6/10
England’s hero in the end, but Manuel Akanji’s spot kick in the shootout was poor. Powerless for the goal, but distribution was not as penetrating as it can be. Went long far too often.
Kieran Trippier – 4/10
Struggles at left-back, so what hope did he have further forward? Nothing went through him, as teammates clearly didn’t trust Newcastle defender to be effective.
Ezri Konsa – 7/10
Calm and composed when thrown in at the deep end, making some crucial interceptions. Sacrificed as England pushed on but can be pleased with showing.
John Stones – 6/10
Another whose timing was spot on, other than for the Switzerland goal, which he will be disappointed with. Should have cut cross out.
Kyle Walker – 6/10
Better after a nightmare evening against Slovakia, but still not back to anything like his best. Restricted in ventures forward given formation shift.
Declan Rice – 5/10
Struggled to get going, only intermittently influencing the game. Granit Xhaka gave him as difficult a task as he will face all tournament. Needs to do more.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10
A touch of class, who should be front and centre of anything England plan to do for a decade to come. His calmness, for one so young, is unerring.
Jude Bellingham – 6/10
Kept on in case he could produce another bolt out of the blue, but nothing materialised. Like Kane, looks dead on his feet. Calmly-taken penalty under pressure.
Nerves? What nerves?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 6, 2024
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Bukayo Saka – 8/10
By far England’s best player. The only attacker willing to take the game to the Swiss, showing an endeavour severely lacking elsewhere. Took his goal superbly and scored perfect penalty in shootout.
Phil Foden – 5/10
Better, but still not good enough. Benefitted from playing more centrally in first half, but faded once again as the match wore on.
Harry Kane – 4/10
Had nine touches in a first half where he was a mere bystander. More of a nuisance second half, but still no threat whatsoever.
Substitutes
Cole Palmer – 6/10
Showed flashes of what he could do and stayed composed to comfortably slot home spot kick in shootout. Never in doubt.
Eberechi Eze – 6/10
Had to change his position on the pitch after coming on, which restricted what he could do in attack.
Luke Shaw – 6/10
Looked sharp and ready for more minutes. Can completely change how England play, having a full-back like Shaw.
Ivan Toney – 6/10
Not enough time to make an impact, but from 12 yards, there are few others you can trust more.
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