Bukayo Saka exorcises England penalty demons against Switzerland: ‘I believed in myself’ | Football News


Bukayo Saka mentioned he had trust in himself as he capped a player-of-the-match efficiency via scoring in England’s Euro 2024 shoot-out win over Switzerland to banish his penalty demons from 3 years in the past.

Now not handiest did Saka equalise for England with a fantastic person hit to prohibit out Breel Embolo’s opener – to manufacture it 1-1 and shoot the duel to extra-time – he took the 3rd of the 5 consequences which have been all scored via Gareth Southgate’s facet to keep a 5-3 win within the shoot-out and a semi-final showdown with Netherlands.

Saka used to be one in every of 3 avid gamers who neglected from the penalty spot within the Euro 2020 last loss to Italy at Wembley in July 2021 and, in addition to Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who had been the alternative takers who failed from 12 yards, used to be racially abused on-line within the aftermath.

Since next the 22-year-old Arsenal ahead has morphed right into a key participant for membership and nation, scoring 10 of the 11 consequences he has taken for the Gunners following the harrowing enjoy.

“I think for me it’s something I embrace,” he mentioned about exorcising his demons.

“You’ll fail as soon as however you’ve gotten a decision whether or not you set your self in that place once more or no longer. I’m a man who’s going to place myself in that place. I assumed in myself.

Ryan Bertrand reacts to Saka’s admirable equaliser

“Once I noticed the ball collision the web, I used to be a more than pleased guy.

“I’m not going to be focusing on the past. That’s done. I can only focus on now and taking a penalty.

“After all I do know there’s a batch of anxious community staring at, my population incorporated, and within the population. However I saved my cool and I scored.”

Southgate’s proclaim for Saka…

England boss Gareth Southgate:

“I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch,” he mentioned. “He’s a unique boy, he’s a dream to paintings with, glorious population.

“After all happy for everyone however for him particularly when his went in. That takes braveness however we’ve trust in him. We had trust in him up to now.

“He’s now got a lot more experience of those pressure moments and his all-round performance was exceptional.”

‘Two extra video games to switch our lives’

Bukayo Saka celebrates after equalising for England against Switzerland
Symbol:
Saka celebrates nearest equalising for England towards Switzerland

Date Saka is Arsenal’s common penalty taker, Southgate now has a humiliation of riches from the spot as Cole Palmer and Ivan Toney also are the defacto first-choice takers for Chelsea and Brentford respectively and each transformed in Dusseldorf.

Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold made it a super shoot-out for England, with Jordan Pickford’s save from Manchester Town defender Manuel Akanji proving the remaining.

“For myself, I believe we have some of the best takers in the Premier League and the world,” added Saka.

“We talked about it before that if it did go to penalties, we would be pretty confident. I’m happy we showed that, we scored five out of five. We’re through to the next round.

“We all know there are two extra video games till we will exchange our lives and manufacture some historical past. We’re actually keen on that.”

‘Starboy Saka lighting fixtures a spark’

Sky Sports activities’ Lewis Jones on Saka’s standout efficiency towards Switzerland:

The Starboy.

Origination because the right-wing again to many raised eyebrows. Saka vindicated Gareth Southgate’s resolution to play games him ill that flank as he tore Michel Aebischer aside one-on-one. His 3 crosses within the first part, on every other era, may have led to 3 objectives. Aebischer used to be dribbled month 5 instances within the first part, the joint maximum via a participant in a duel at Euro 2024.

This used to be the Saka we see week-in-week-out at Arsenal, epitomised via his super-cool function and massive penalty within the shoot-out.

This used to be redemption. A efficiency for the ages.

Kane praises Saka’s mentality

Captain Harry Kane praised Saka’s mentality nearest stepping as much as shoot a penalty in England’s win over Switzerland

England captain Harry Kane on Saka’s efficiency towards Switzerland:

“What a performance in the whole game [from Saka].

“Enjoying ready he’s performed ahead of however no longer impaired to taking part in, he used to be our actual outlet with the ball.

“He caused them problems the whole game and got the goal he fully deserved with a fantastic finish. He got us back in the game when we needed it most. But then without the ball as well, the work he put it, the shift he put in, the blocks and the tackles right up until the 120th minute.

“Upcoming to step up within the shoot-out the best way he did. I do know the mentality he has and that he can be at ease in that status, in spite of what has came about within the month.

“He prepares really well for moments like that and he executed it perfectly. It was a fantastic night for him and he fully deserves it.”

Saka’s efficiency used to be brilliant. Nearest what he went thru on the latter Euros, to have the bravery to step up once more with everybody for your again, if somebody merits it, it’s him.

Michael Dawson

‘Saka used to be the most efficient participant at the sound’

Kaveh Solhekol summarises Bukayo Saka’s stand-out efficiency towards Switzerland, together with his unbelievable curled hit to equalise and accumulation England within the event.

Sky Sports activities Information prominent information reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

“Saka was absolutely brilliant. He was the best player on the pitch, even before the penalty and the redemption story surrounding his spot-kick.

“Right through standard era and extra-time he used to be outstanding.

“He used to be requested to play games as a wing-back at the fair. It’s no longer his favorite place however he didn’t put a footing incorrect.

Rob Dorsett delivers his verdict on England’s win over Switzerland and wonders if the victory will give them momentum to succeed in the Euro 2024 last

“Going forward, he was direct, his first touch was exceptional and the ball seemed to stick to him. He didn’t really have to do much defending because, for most of the game, he was the one threatening his opposite number. But, when he did have to defend, he did a really good job.

“It used to be an all-action show from him and it used to be capped via a function made via Arsenal as he gained the ball from Declan Rice ahead of the midfielder made a just right decoy run which simply unfolded the field for Saka.

“Then there was the penalty shoot-out. When Saka was walking up to take his penalty, I think every England fan inside that stadium and everyone watching at home was just thinking about what happened three years ago when he missed in the Euro 2020 final against Italy and the disgraceful racist abuse that he had to put up with on social media. You were just hoping he scored because we didn’t want to be revisiting what happened. We didn’t want to be talking about that again or have any of those issues again.

“Fortunately, he used to be simply so cool and he used to be so quiet.”

Nev on England’s penalty good fortune: ‘There’s sunlit plan’

Reflecting on England’s penalty shoot-out – the primary era the rustic has ever transformed all 5 in their kicks – Gary Neville praised the mentality of the avid gamers but additionally the preparation and enjoy they’ve in that status.

“I don’t think the fear ever goes for those players stepping up, but there’s no doubt they’re in a better place than we have been as a country in the past,” he mentioned.

“There’s a sunlit plan of who’s going to shoot them, a sunlit plan for the ‘keeper through which means he’s getting to dive – I do know that’s no longer untouched however the entirety is easily concept out.

“You wish to have community at the sound who’ve been in that place ahead of, who shoot consequences naturally. That’s what we had – 5 guys who’ve been at ease taking a spot-kick.

“I do know there’s the added drive of being in a event however when you have that repetitive enjoy you’ve had ahead of it certainly is helping.

“There were times when we were playing for England where there were lads stepping up who hadn’t taken a pen for 15 years since they were a kid.”

Saka displays his mettle and trait

Bukayo Saka holds off Michel Aebischer
Symbol:
Saka holds off Michel Aebischer

Research via Sky Sports activities’ Nick Wright:

England would no longer be celebrating a park within the latter 4 with out Saka. The Arsenal ahead, England’s most threatening participant, even taking part in as a wing-back, scored a admirable equaliser all the way through a player-of-the-match efficiency in Dusseldorf.

Much more noteceable, although, used to be his willingness to next step up and shoot one in every of England’s consequences within the shoot-out, handiest 3 years nearest the leave out that proved so pricey within the last of Euro 2020. Now not handiest that, he transformed it too, demonstrating his trait and mettle to support England recover from the order.

Penalty decision-making, tactical plans and England’s streetwise nature had been at the schedule all the way through Gareth Southgate’s press convention following the Switzerland win

Who performs who within the semi-finals?

Euro 2024: UEFA referees’ chief confirms VAR cleared decision to deny Scotland penalty in Hungary defeat | Football News



VAR did take a look at and sunny the verdict to not award Scotland a penalty of their
decisive Euro 2024 workforce sport in opposition to Hungary, UEFA referees’ prominent Roberto
Rosetti has stated.

Scotland felt they must were awarded a spot-kick when Stuart Armstrong used to be challenged via defender Willi Orban, however their appeals have been waved away via Argentinian referee Facundo Tello.

Rosetti stated on Friday that the VAR had regarded on the incident and determined Armstrong had moved in opposition to the defender and drawn touch.

Hungary went directly to win the fit 1-0, a end result which eradicated Scotland from the match.

Scotland head schoolteacher Steve Clarke stated it used to be “100 per cent” a penalty and puzzled the aim of VAR “if they are not going to come in for something like that”.

Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke used to be left wondering the purpose of VAR later Stuart Armstrong used to be now not given a penalty all through their 1-0 defeat to Hungary

Rosetti used to be requested concerning the incident at a referees’ briefing on Friday and stated: “This used to be an overly, very difficult fit with a few arguable incidents. There used to be one within the 68th tiny the place there used to be a imaginable penalty, as a result of John McGinn used to be pulling the opponent’s blouse.

“After there used to be the incident at tiny 79. The attacker Armstrong used to be in entrance of the Hungarian (Orban). If you happen to attend to it from the digicam in the back of, there used to be motion of the attacker in opposition to the Hungarian.

“The VARs are checking everything, the VAR checked this situation. They decided that this was just a physical contact trying to challenge the defender.”

Kris Boyd says he didn’t know how Scotland weren’t awarded a penalty kick of their fit in opposition to Hungary

Rosetti would now not be drawn on whether or not, in his view, the verdict used to be the right kind one.

Rosetti did verify that Tello has been appointed as a fourth reputable for Saturday’s last-16 fit between Switzerland and Italy.

Dean: I’m amazed penalty wasn’t given

Former referee Mike Dean used to be shocked that Scotland have been denied a ‘sunny penalty’ following Willi Orban’s problem on Stuart Armstrong.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean informed Sky Sports activities Information:

“I was a bit surprised if I was being honest, there was a bit of a tangle at the start but it’s a clear foul, a clear knee on the back of the calf.

“I assumed the referee used to be going to present a bad in actual moment, it simply felt adore it to everybody observing the sport. I used to be much more shocked the VAR didn’t become involved.

“I think the VAR would have got involved, he’s probably looked at it and the referee’s given some kind of explanation, maybe a tangle of legs or the attacker’s instigated the contact.

“However no matter method you have a look at it, it’s a sunny penalty. They’d have checked out it, and the VAR simply yes with the referee – wrongly individually, in everybody’s opinion via the sounds of it.

“Scotland defended well and had chances. If they went 1-0 up, I couldn’t see Hungary scoring a goal with how they defended for the rest of the game.

“It’s simply a kind of issues. I used to be amazed it wasn’t given. The referee’s most definitely viewable a tangle, but when I used to be an attacker and I am getting throughout a defender and really feel touch, you are expecting a penalty to both be given via the referee, the worker or via VAR.

“The referees are at that tournament for a reason, they’re the best in Europe or in South America in his case. You’re there to make the big calls, guys have made big calls all competition; this is the first one, apart from Anthony Taylor’s against France on Friday, where we’re talking about the referee and the VAR.”

Red Bull: Has reigning world champions’ 2021 cost cap penalty brought 2024 F1 field closer together? | F1 News


There’s refuse unsureness System 1 is essentially the most aggressive it’s been because the 2022 garden impact laws had been offered.

Max Verstappen could have gained the terminating two races in Canada and Spain however he didn’t have the fastest automobile at both race as Lando Norris settled for 2nd at each occasions.

Pink Bull began the age with utter dominance as Verstappen gained the Bahrain Magnificent Prix by way of greater than 20 seconds and went directly to snatch moderately comfy victories in Saudi Arabia, Japan and China.

However, since Norris’ maiden F1 win on the Miami Magnificent Prix in Might, Pink Bull’s merit has been burnt up.

Verstappen gained by way of lower than one 2nd from Norris in Imola and used to be simplest 6th on the Monaco Magnificent Prix, the place Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc gained on house park.

The most efficient of the motion from an eventful Spanish Magnificent Prix

“Since Miami, Lando has probably been the standout competitor and we are going to have to be at the top of our game to win,” Pink Bull workforce important Christian Horner informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“It’s tight – but we keep winning which is the most important thing. McLaren are doing a great job, Ferrari aren’t far behind, Mercedes are improving, but we are keeping our noses in front. It’s important we keep pushing because there is a long way to go.”

Worn Pink Bull penalty having an have an effect on?

As has all the time been the case in F1, the ground converges when laws stay the similar however Pink Bull’s surprising insufficiency of dominance has come as a amaze.

McLaren’s Miami improve has put them on par, or forward, and Mercedes have undoubtedly closed up too.

One rationalization might be the breeze tunnel laws, which handicaps the more potent groups.

Pink Bull have had the least quantity of breeze tunnel day for the terminating two years nearest they gained the constructors’ championship in 2022 and 2023.

F1 2024 January to June Aerodynamic Trying out Restrictions

Workforce % of Aero Trying out prohibit Air tunnel runs according to ATR duration Air tunnel runs according to era
Pink Bull 70 224 28
Mercedes 75 240 30
Ferrari 80 256 32
McLaren 85 272 34
Aston Martin 90 288 36
Alpine 95 304 38
Williams 100 320 40
RB 105 336 42
Sauber 110 352 44
Haas 115 368 46

Alternatively, for many of terminating age, Pink Bull had an extra 10 according to cent snip on their fresh handicapped breeze tunnel day nearest they breached the 2021 price range cap laws, so they simply had 63 according to cent from October 2022 to October 2023.

After all, Pink Bull nonetheless controlled to design a fantastic system for the beginning of this age however is their restricted aerodynamic trying out within the breeze tunnel in any case having an impact?

Anthony Davidson compares the quickest laps of Norris and Verstappen from Spanish Magnificent Prix qualifying

“It’s all relative. We had a double whammy last year on the tunnel time for this year’s car but it all evens itself out,” mentioned Horner as he referenced the penalty Pink Bull had in 2023.

“When you run at the front, there’s nowhere to hide and you get found out because everything is scrutinised. Every strategy call, every pit stop, every start. It’s a different pressure and philosophy you have to have. That’s where the team haven’t lost that edge of big moments, delivering pit stops and strategy calls.”

The breeze tunnel day pecking sequence is in truth reset from the beginning of July. The volume of breeze tunnel day each and every workforce will get is made up our minds by way of the constructors’ standings nearest Sunday’s Austrian Magnificent Prix in Spielberg.

A pissed off Norris opinions the Spanish Magnificent Prix the place he completed 2nd

Even with out terminating age’s penalty, Pink Bull have had 15 according to cent much less day within the breeze tunnel in comparison to McLaren for the terminating six months. If McLaren keep of their tide constructors’ championship place of 3rd, this may occasionally exchange to a ten according to cent drawback for Pink Bull for the left-overs of this age.

“We have got tremendous strength in depth in the team and stability for the long-term,” mentioned Horner. “What you are seeing now is work that’s been going on over the last few months and there is more in the pipeline.

“You’re into diminishing returns and it’s in reality incremental. On Friday, it appeared like we had been fourth fastest automobile however the engineering workforce did a superior task over the weekend and grew to become it round. We’re very mindful we want to reserve bringing efficiency to the automobile.”

Symbol:
F1 Constructors’ Championship forward of Austrian GP

Horner: Verstappen doesn’t mess about

Verstappen has been on supremacy mode this age and arguably made the general, the most important, residue within the terminating two races to increase his top within the championship to 69 issues over Norris.

He certified at the entrance row in Canada and Spain, when team-mate Sergio Perez didn’t property similar the entrance, later performed a really perfect technique from Pink Bull in each races to notch up his sixtieth and 61st wins in F1.

On the Spanish Magnificent Prix, Verstappen overtook George Russell early on and withstood a overdue Norris rate with a efficiency Horner describes as “brilliant”.

Keep an eye on as Verstappen takes the win on the Spanish Magnificent Prix

“He is so decisive, he just doesn’t mess about,” mentioned Horner. “I think that is one of his key qualities – you know if he is there, he is going to go for it. The other drivers know that.

“I believe it’s tight. It’s petite margins. Max and Lando had been 18 seconds forward of the left-overs of the ground. Lando particularly had longevity however in spite of everything we were given the task carried out and bagged most issues.”

F1’s triple-header continues on the Austrian Magnificent Prix this coming era – with the Dash layout returning on the Pink Bull Ring. Keep an eye on each and every consultation survive Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s bulky race at 2pm. Wave each and every F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities While Club – Incorrect word of honour, stop anytime

Steve Clarke demands explanation as Scotland denied penalty in Hungary defeat which ended Euro 2024 hopes | Football News


Scotland boss Steve Clarke demanded solutions why Scotland had been denied a “100 per cent” penalty which he felt could have price them their last-16 qualification at Euro 2024.

Stuart Armstrong gave the impression to be introduced ailing via defender Willi Orban throughout the branch with Scotland’s ultimate staff sport with Hungary goalless however Argentinian referee Facundo Tello declined to offer a penalty – a choice Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd mentioned he may just now not imagine.

Clarke sympathised with the professional however mentioned VAR’s determination to not interfere next viewing replays of the incident used to be inexplicable.

“100 per cent penalty,” he mentioned in his press convention. “Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that’s not a penalty. It’s 100 per cent a penalty.

“It’s a one-goal sport, we get the penalty, it generally is a other night time. I’ve were given alternative phrases, however I’m now not committing to utility them.

Symbol:
Willi Orban have shyed away from punishment for this problem on Stuart Armstrong

“It’s a European competition, it might have been better to have a European referee. The VAR was European, maybe the referee didn’t see the foul clearly on the pitch, but what’s the point in VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that. It was a penalty.”

Former Scotland ahead Boyd puzzled why Tello used to be now not despatched to the pitch-side track via Spanish VAR Alejandro Hernandez, with Armstrong and his team-mates visibly incensed on the while.

“I’ve seen the penalty again and I cannot believe that hasn’t been given,” Boyd mentioned on Sky Sports activities Information. “It’s a natural football position – you get your arm across to protect the ball.

“The knee is going into the govern of Armstrong’s calf. I can’t imagine a penalty hasn’t been given. That might have modified the whole lot.

“It’s a penalty all day long. If the referee had been able to go to the monitor, he might have been able to correct his wrong decision.”

Kris Boyd says he didn’t know the way Scotland weren’t awarded a penalty kick of their tournament in opposition to Hungary

Clarke: We want to determine learn how to rating extra targets

In spite of realistically desiring to win the sport, Scotland didn’t sign in a unmarried shot heading in the right direction till the 8th modest of added while in the second one part, presen 3 in their 4 photographs in general got here past the ninetieth modest.

Clarke refused to be drawn on what precisely had viewable Scotland leave out of the Eu Championship within the staff level for the second one event in a row, however admitted he would want to sit down ailing along with his personnel to determine how they’re going to rating extra targets in hour competitions.

He mentioned: “It’s very difficult to sit here and analyse, but sometimes after a defeat like that you need a bit of time just to digest everything and work out how the game went, why it went how it did.

“We didn’t develop enough quantity, however we did develop enough quantity to attain a target. That’s sunny. Is that why we went out of the event?

“We scored two goals this tournament, we scored one last time. It’s one for me to go away and talk to my coaches about, about how we can score more goals at certain times in games of course.”

Rossi: We deserved to win

Kevin Csoboth ended Scotland's Euro hopes
Symbol:
Kevin Csoboth ended Scotland’s Euro hopes

Victorious Hungary supervisor Marco Rossi mentioned his facet had been significance in their first victory of the event, one which provides them an out of doors hope of attaining the final 16 for the second one Eu Championship out in their final 3 tournaments.

“The Scottish had a bit more ball possession, especially in the first half,” he admitted, however added: “In the second half it was more an up-and-down match, starting from around the 70th minute, almost 30 minutes in which there were situations from one side to the other.

“We will say that it used to be an equivalent tournament. Definitely we had extra probabilities, they’d extra of the ball, however total I don’t suppose we didn’t should win. It used to be deserved.”

On Scotland’s penalty, Rossi declined to offer his sympathies and instead drew comparisons to a foul he felt should have been given against Ilkay Gundogan ahead of Germany’s first goal during Hungary’s 2-0 defeat to the hosts in their previous game.

He said: “Within the pre-match I mentioned there used to be a sunny foul on Orban via Gundogan, why do we need to communicate now about this age?

“I didn’t see it well from the bench, but if they didn’t give the penalty in the VAR room, they have seen it was not a penalty. Many pushes from the back in the European Championship are allowed.”

Euro 2024 – Poland 1-3 Austria: Marko Arnautovic penalty helps Ralf Rangnick’s side to first win | Football News


Poland changed into the primary family to be knocked out of Euro 2024 following a 3-1 defeat to Austria.

Objectives from Gernot Trauner, Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic sealed an important win for Ralf Rangnick’s aspect in Berlin, which left their fighters with two defeats from their first two Team D fixtures.

And because of the goalless draw between the Netherlands and France nearest on within the night time, Poland exited the contest with one recreation to backup.

Austria began the sport at breakneck pace and their competitive attacking manner paid off within 10 mins, when Philipp Mwene clipped a pass to the akin submit, the place Trauner leapt to steer in a trendy header.

The depth waned because the part went on, permitting Poland to start to mount a comeback; Nicola Zalewski in a bind a shot over the bar, prior to Philipp Lienhart diverted a shot from Piotr Zielinski away and nearest bravely put his head in the best way of a pass to the akin submit from Przemyslaw Frankowski.

At the 30 minutes, they have been again in it. A pass from the left introduced a component of panic to the penalty section and, then Jan Bednarek’s shot used to be restrained via Trauner, Krzysztof Piatek seized keep watch over and tucked house the equaliser.

The Polish contingent within the stands gained a boost when talisman Robert Lewandowski used to be presented with part an date to play games, however Austria have been quickly in entrance once more; Alexander Prass’ sweeping cross used to be dummied via Arnautovic and completed via Baumgartner.

It used to be process carried out then 78 mins when Marcel Sabitzer used to be clumsily introduced ill via goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny within the field, which allowed ex-Stoke and West Ham frontman Arnautovic to complete coolly, construct positive of the issues and kick-start Austria’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign.

Stats: Tale of the fit

Research – Wonderful Austria are ones to observe

Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:

Austria had a park in lots of analysts’ Euro 2024 ‘lightless horses’ choices. You’ll be able to surely see why then their fresh show.

Ralf Rangnick’s aspect picked up their first win in opposition to Poland however did so in an excessively sexy taste.

Complete-backs Stefan Posch and Philipp Mwene have been arguably their absolute best resources of assault. Sitting midfielders Nicolas Seiwald and Konrad Laimer generated a few of their absolute best possibilities of the sport. Poland’s defence may no longer offer with Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer’s operating and paintings within the part areas.

Now Austria rise on the point of the knockout rounds and face a large recreation in opposition to the Netherlands to seal their park.

Getting 2d park might be an important because it might be England within the first knockout spherical in the event that they end 3rd. However taking a look at how each groups are taking part in, would that be so evil?

To this point in Team D…