Manchester United legend Paul Scholes gave somewhat risque praise to England's penalty heroes after their victory over Switzerland. England reached the semi-final of Euro 2024 thanks to a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday. And they had to come from behind to get there when Breel Embolo scored for the Swiss with 15 minutes of the 90 to go.
But just moments later, Bukayo Saka let loose when he cut in on the right-hand side to grab the equaliser as the match went to extra-time and then penalties. All five of England's penalty-takers stepped up and scored - Cole Palmer , Saka, Jude Bellingham , Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold . Manchester City star Manuel Akanji, meanwhile, saw his effort saved by Jordan Pickford , giving the Three Lions victory to set up a semi-final clash against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Considering that England have faltered so often in penalty shootouts in years gone by, it was a fine way to prove the doubters wrong - including Saka, who had come in for criticism this tournament. Responding to the victory on social media was United legend Scholes, who has been vocal throughout the tournament on Instagram. He posted a picture of Saka and Gareth Southgate embracing with the caption: "Balls the size of melons.
" Saka was one of three players to miss their penalty in the shootout against Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley three years ago. The Arsenal ace was not scared to step up on Saturday, desperate .
