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England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has declared he was not nervous as he stepped up to take the penalty that sent England to the semifinals of Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s team beat Switzerland in a penalty shootout after the teams were level at 1-1 following 120 minutes of action.
Manuel Akanji saw Switzerland’s first penalty saved by Jordan Pickford, while England were immaculate in the shootout, with Alexander-Arnold powering home the fifth and final spot-kick to send England to a second consecutive European Championship semifinal.
“It’s what we practice, a lot of practice goes into that moment, the moments that I enjoy,” Alexander-Arnold told the BBC after the game.
“My belly doesn’t drop, I enjoy it, I practise it. I knew what spot. I knew I just needed to execute it. And I went out and did that.”
Alexander-Arnold also praised Pickford for his heroics, saying the save coming so early in the shootout gave England’s takers added faith.
“Pickers [goalkeeper Pickford] made an amazing save, to start a shootout like that gives us great confidence,” the Liverpool player said. “Every game so far has gone into extra time in the quarterfinals so you know the tight margins. The finest of margins today but we were able to win.”
England will play either Turkey or the Netherlands in the semifinal in Dortmund on Wednesday.