Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold produced the greatest moment of his England career on Saturday against Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate’s side might not be producing or playing free-flowing football, but one thing is for sure, they are getting the job done.
This time, England required penalties to beat Switzerland and book their Euro 2024 semi-final ticket where they will face the Netherlands.
Liverpool fans would have seen and listened to the stick Trent Alexander-Arnold got at this tournament after he started the campaign by playing in the middle of the park.
That only lasted a few matches and now he has been a bench player, with his contribution against the Swiss being his best one yet because he scored the crucial penalty to send England through.
In decades gone by, the Three Lions have been beyond abject when it comes to spot kicks, but this new crop are on another level.
But that still didn’t stop Gary Neville from feeling like a nervous wreck as the penalties were going in.
The game itself was shown live on the BBC, but ITV Sport, who are co-hosting this summer’s Euros, were beginning their build-up to the Netherlands v Turkey.
As you can imagine, they simply couldn’t talk about that match, and instead, were watching the drama unfold in the England game, with viewers only able to see the reaction of the three pundits – Joleon Lescott, Karen Carney and Neville.
Liverpool fans would have loved the reaction of Neville to Alexander-Arnold’s penalty because he was ‘absolutely praying’ for him to score.
The Manchester United legend screamed and screeched as loud as possible when the Anfield star, with such composure, rifled the ball into the top corner.
Neville also highlighted the immense pressure the right-back-turned-midfielder has been under and how he has answered those critics.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s penalty helps England beat Switzerland at Euro 2024
“Trent, please, I am absolutely praying for you Trent, honestly I am,” said Neville as Alexander-Arnold was walking up to take his penalty. “He has had a difficult tournament. It’s not (the end of the world if he misses). But he has had a difficult tournament. Come on, Trent!
After Trent’s penalty went in, Neville screamed at the top of his lungs and then added: “I just said the word ‘lucky’ there. I don’t mean by actually winning on penalties. I mean by how we got through each game. Gareth’s penalty strategies have been unbelievable. The way he has got good players on the pitch and the way players have approached it. The calmness.
“What a moment. Brilliant for him as well, Trent Alexander-Arnold. Well done – you think about Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has had challenges in this tournament. Every one of them that stepped up had pressure on them, on top of having to score a penalty, and they have done it absolutely brilliantly.”
England reach Euro 2024 semi-finals
It has been sluggish, ugly, full of criticism and tough to watch, but England are in the last four of Euro 2024.
Southgate switched to a back three and played wing-backs against the Swiss to match them up. Many questioned before the game if Alexander-Arnold would start, as a result.
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But he was still used as a sub and you imagine that is going to be the case until England either win the tournament outright or get booted out.
Yes, Alexander-Arnold is probably better suited to play as a right-sided wing-back, but Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka produced a Man of the Match display, so you can’t complain too much on that front.
Now it’s a case of the Dutch and either Spain or France standing in England’s way of glory.
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