Football News Update: Euro 2024, Champions League, and More
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Jordan Pickford’s Penalty Heroics Propel England to Euro 2024 Semi-Finals
Jordan Pickford always seemed likely to be needed to produce a big moment at Euro 2024, and a penalty shootout at some stage felt inevitable given the way England have been playing. The Three Lions fans have had to sit through a pair of lacklustre draws in the group stage and a last-16 win that needed a 95th-minute equalizer and then an extra-time winner to make it to their quarter-final with Switzerland. This again proved to be another tense affair, and when Breel Embolo scored with just 15 minutes remaining, many supporters feared the worst.
However, after Gareth Southgate responded with a triple change, his side were able to find an equaliser through Bukayo Saka and force extra time. In the resulting penalty shootout, Pickford’s save from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji put England in the driving seat, and a flawless set of efforts from Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold sealed a 5-3 win.
Following the shootout success, eagle-eyed fans on social media spotted Pickford’s secret weapon, as photographs showed that his water bottle was wrapped with a penalty shootout crib sheet, telling him which way to dive for every member of the Switzerland squad. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
England will now face the winner of the Netherlands and Turkey’s quarter-final in Dortmund on Wednesday evening, with a place in the Euro 2024 final at stake. The Three Lions will be aiming to reach their second consecutive European Championship final, having lost to Italy on penalties in the 2020 edition.
In other Football News:
- The 2024 UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain on May 31st.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is just around the corner, with the draw set to take place in December 2025.
- The 2023 Women’s World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, concluded with Spain emerging victorious.
- The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations saw Senegal defend their title, defeating Algeria in the final.
- The 2023-24 Premier League season is in full swing, with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea currently leading the charge.
- The 2023-24 EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, and EFL Two competitions are also underway, providing plenty of excitement for football fans across England.
- The 2023-24 FA Cup continues to capture the imagination of the nation, with the early rounds well underway.
Stay tuned for more Football News updates from around the world.
🔗 Source