LUKE SHAW was hailed for his “classy” gesture after England’s penalty triumph over Switzerland.
The Three Lions will face Netherlands in the semi-final of Euro 2024 on Wednesday after Saturday’s triumph over the Swiss.
Breel Embolo looked to have won it for Switzerland when he broke the deadlock with just 15 minutes left.
But Bukayo Saka’s brilliant effort levelled to send the game to extra-time, where neither team managed another breakthrough.
Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick before Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, and Ivan Toney all converted.
That left Trent Alexander-Arnold to step up to win it, and the Liverpool star made no mistake in securing a 5-3 shootout win.
While he raced off and was soon mobbed by his team-mates in celebration, it was another full-back who some eagle-eyed supporters were impressed with.
The 28-year-old Shaw had been unable to feature throughout the Euros due to his injury recovery until he came off the bench on 78 minutes against the Swiss.
And while the rest of the squad chased towards Alexander-Arnold and Pickford on Saturday at the conclusion of the penalties, Shaw instantly turned to their opponents to console them.
Images of the scene quickly circulated on social media, with one fan account writing: “Luke Shaw immediately went to console the Switzerland players after Trent’s penalty kick. Class.”
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Meanwhile Saka, who missed a penalty as Italy beat England in the final of Euro 2020 on spot-kicks, raised his hands to the heavens to give thanks for the victory.
On seeing the huge mix of emotions, another supporter wrote: “I adore this image. The joy, yes.
“That was me, in the moment. But also the silent relief and prayer from Saka.
“And then Luke Shaw, quietly off to shake hands with the Swiss. That’s pretty damn classy.”
England boss Gareth Southgate has now guided our boys to three shootout wins out of four while he has been in charge.
EXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.
And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…
1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR
“It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’
2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP
“Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”
3. DICTATE AS A TEAM
“A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”
4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES
“Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”
5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT
“Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”
AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…
Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).
Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”
And it is also the third time that he has guided the Three Lions into a semi-final at a major tournament.
He celebrated emphatically in front of the delighted fans in the stands on Saturday and said afterwards: “Every now and then you think surely there has to be some enjoyment in this job.
“If I can’t enjoy that moment, then the whole thing is a waste of time.
“I took this job to help. I can’t deny when it’s as personal as it’s been in recent weeks…But we’re still fighting.”
He added: “We showed unbelievable qualities of character and resilience. You have to find ways to win and dealing with everything around them.”
England are now preparing to face Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday for a place in the final.
The Dutch came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday to seal their place in the last-four.
The winner of that semi will face either Spain or France, who play tomorrow, in Sunday’s final.
THE dreaded penalty shootout.
England’s nemesis at no fewer than SEVEN major tournaments since 1990, from the West Germany heartache at Italia 90 to Wembley woes on the brink of Euro 2020 final glory.
But two shootout victories before the Italy defeat give some reason for optimism…
