Vargas and Switzerland out of EURO 2024 after penalty drama
Swiss just miss out on historic semi-final
FCA attacker Ruben Vargas’ Switzerland side were knocked out of the EUROs by England at the quarter-final stage on Saturday evening. Despite an impressive performance, they were eventually beaten 5-3 on penalties, and narrowly missed out on a first ever major tournament semi-final.
After his Player of the Match performance in the 2-0 win over Italy in the round of 16, when he popped up with a goal and an assist, Ruben Vargas was again named in the starting lineup and was a lively presence in attack for the Swiss.
The match however remained goalless until the 75th minute, when Fabian Schär played in Dan Ndoye on the edge of the penalty area, and the latter fizzed a low cross into the middle. A deflection off England’s John Stones saw the ball land perfectly in the path of Breel Embolo, who turned home from close range. Vargas had at this point already been substituted (64’).
Just five minutes later, the Three Lions hit back with their first shot on target. Bukayo Saka’s low effort beat Yann Sommer via the inside of the post to send the game to extra time. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the remaining 30 minutes, though Xherdan Shaqiri had a great chance to restore Switzerland’s lead. The quarter-final would therefore be decided from the spot.
England flawless as Akanji denied
After England’s Cole Palmer had converted the first kick of the shoot-out, Manuel Akanji saw his effort saved by Jordan Pickford. Schär, Shaqiri and Zeki Amdouni then all found the net for Switzerland, as did opponents Jude Bellingham, Saka and Ivan Toney. Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up to take England’s final kick, and hammered it into the top left corner to end Switzerland’s semi-final dream.
