Bukayo Saka was the hero for England as they won on penalties against Switzerland, and Jadon Sancho had a special message for the Arsenal star.

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• Saka scores in crucial penalty shootout
• Sancho thanks 'Man of the Match' Saka
• Says the goal was for him and Rashford

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  In 2021, it was Saka, Sancho and Marcus Rashford that missed their penalties in the final of the Euros against Italy. The Arsenal star pulled off a spectacular performance against Switzerland three years on, with an outstanding equaliser followed by a nerveless spot-kick that was fired beyond Yann Sommer. Sancho thanked Saka for erasing ghosts of the past that had haunted the trio and seen them heavily criticised for.

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• WHAT SANCHO SAID

  On Instagram, Sancho shared a story of Saka with the 'Man of the Match' award and wrote: "I'm so proud of this guy, Bukayo Saka! You did it for me and Marcus [Rashford] brother!"

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Saka has arguably been Gareth Southgate's most consistent forward so far in the Euros, and in a new three-man defensive system the Arsenal starlet has been deployed as a wing-back. In the match against Switzerland, it was expected that he would start as a left wing-back, however, Southgate deployed him on the right to allow Phil Foden to operate as an interior with Saka as the width provider.

• WHAT NEXT FOR SAKA?

  The Arsenal star will definitely be a starter, in likely the same role, when England take on the Netherlands on July 10 in the semi-finals at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News