July 7th 2024.
Declan Rice couldn't contain his excitement as he celebrated England's victory in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Despite not being one of the five players chosen to take penalties against Switzerland, the talented midfielder played a crucial role in securing the Three Lions' spot in the semi-finals.
England's penalty shootout victory against Switzerland was a nail-biting one, but the team remained calm and composed thanks to players like Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who all confidently converted their spot-kicks. And even though Rice didn't have the opportunity to take a penalty himself, his presence and leadership on the field were invaluable, as described by his teammate Luke Shaw.
Shaw revealed that Rice was the one keeping the team calm and focused during the tense moments, reminding them to use their breathing techniques and manifest their success. It was a much-needed support for the team, and Shaw himself felt grateful for Rice's contribution. But Rice wasn't the only one playing a crucial role behind the scenes. Kyle Walker, who plays with Rice at Manchester City, helped provide inside information on Switzerland's Manuel Akanji, which ultimately helped Jordan Pickford save Akanji's penalty.
Speaking of Pickford, he was one of England's heroes in the shootout, along with the rest of the team. And coach Gareth Southgate was quick to praise the team's performance, especially Saka's, who successfully redeemed himself after missing a penalty against Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Southgate admired his team's streetwise approach to the shootout and highlighted their resilience despite facing obstacles throughout the tournament, such as losing players before and during the tournament. He also acknowledged that this team is different from previous ones, as they possess more tournament experience and are able to keep possession for longer periods. And although they haven't always gotten everything right, Southgate is proud of their performance and believes they have what it takes to go all the way.
As the team prepares for their semi-final match against Netherlands, the players and coaching staff will no doubt continue to draw inspiration and motivation from each other, knowing that they have the support and trust of their fans back home.
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