England’s hero on Saturday was Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose game-winning penalty kick sent the Three Lions over Switzerland and into the semifinals of the Euro 2024 competition.

Trent Alexander-Arnold secured the Three Lions’ nerve-wracking 1-1 (5-3) escape from Switzerland at Euro 2024, capping England’s overwhelming shootout performance with a thundering goal into the top-right corner and wheeling away in jubilation. Relieved England supporters praised the Liverpool right-back on social media for his decisive finish, which vaulted his nation into the Euro 2024 semi-final and erased the unpleasant memory of a penalty shootout.  One fan said, “Make your apologies as loud as your disrespect for Trent Alexander-Arnold,” following the Liverpool right-back’s midfield switch that drew criticism. Still another patriotic commenter commented, “G-d save the king (Trent Alexander-Arnold)”.Before the shootout, England put on yet another lacklustre display, playing a weak Swiss team reasonably evenly and getting close to elimination when Breel Embolo converted a sliding back-post finish with fifteen minutes remaining. But five minutes later, Bukayo Saka finished off a sharp run from the left wing with a spectacular strike, and England rode a 1-1 draw into penalty kicks.  Despite the Three Lions’ dismal performances and cautious attitude, England manager Gareth Southgate has received harsh criticism from supporters. However, he has also received praise for his choice to start Alexander-Arnold as the fifth penalty taker. One commenter said, “Southgate was setting Trent up for glory.” “Seasoned players have always owned penalty number five. those with nerve to hold their tongue. athletes with clutch play.”

Entering this summer’s European champions, England had only won two of its previous 17 major events, dating back to 1990, and had been ousted from seven of them via penalty shootouts. Even the youngest England supporters find it extremely hard to recall the Three Lions’ mistakes from 12 yards out, when they lost the previous Euros to Italy on penalty kicks in the Wembley Stadium final.England was eliminated from EURO 2020 on penalties (Image: Getty Images)Though Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, and Cole Palmer are all assigned key penalty responsibility at the club level, the current generation of England players, along with Alexander-Arnold, has proven to be ideally qualified to erase this agonising three-decade history. Another commentator said, “England penalty curse gone, it might finally be coming home,” following the heroics in the latter stages.

“I’m not sure it’s the ‘best group of penalty takers we’ve ever had,'” Kane said. However, I think this group has the most experience that we’ve had. In my opinion, having consistent takers is crucial, and we have players who have taken some in crucial games or high-stakes penalty shootouts in the past. This is evident when you compare our taker total to that of the previous Euros.”

After two subpar performances, Alexander-Arnold was benched for England’s last group-stage match. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice were starting for the tournament. The local Liverpool player replaced Phil Foden in the 115′ of Saturday’s game and contributed in the few minutes he played. He completed all five of his pass attempts and made a vital interception four minutes later.

“Absolutely amazing. These are our self-imposed objectives. Alexander-Arnold told the BBC that the team “showed a lot of character, belief, heart, and spirit, dug deep when it mattered” in order to go to the semifinals. We are aware that we will never easily win the game, therefore we will do whatever it takes to prevail. For us, that is all that matters.