Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate praises Bukayo Saka for his bravery in the shoot-out victory – ‘He played incredibly well’.

Gareth Southgate has heaped praise on Bukayo Saka for his “courage” after the young star stepped up and scored a crucial penalty in England’s shoot-out victory over Switzerland, securing their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

Similar to their previous match against Slovakia, England found themselves trailing but managed to equalize in the 80th minute, with Saka scoring the vital goal. Southgate highlighted Saka’s performance and the team’s overall character as key factors in their triumph.

Southgate commended Saka for his defensive contributions as well as his attacking prowess, stating that the team recognized the advantage they had with Saka’s one-on-one abilities. The England manager also emphasized the importance of resilience and character in tournament football, drawing inspiration from Spain’s victory the previous night.

Saka’s penalty redemption was also acknowledged by Southgate, who described his performance as “immense.” The England boss expressed his pride in Saka’s courage and praised his all-round display, highlighting his defensive responsibilities and ability to provide an attacking outlet.

Southgate further lauded his players, labeling their performance against Switzerland as their best of the tournament so far. He commended their ability to cause problems for the opposition and their resilience in coming from behind once again.

The England manager also explained the tactical change to a back three, stating that it was necessary to apply pressure higher up the pitch. He highlighted the importance of disciplined defending against a strong Swiss team and praised the players for executing the game plan effectively.

Overall, Southgate expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and their ability to showcase various qualities required to succeed in a tournament. He praised Saka’s bravery and performance, as well as the team’s character and resilience, which ultimately secured their place in the semi-finals.