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Gareth Southgate has lavished praise on Bukayo Saka, calling him a dream to work with and an exemplary professional for his incredible work rate.
Gareth Southgate has lavished praise on Bukayo Saka, describing the Arsenal starlet as a 'dream to work with' and an 'exemplary professional' following England's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
The Three Lions looked to be heading for a shock exit when the Swiss broke the deadlock in the 75th minute through Breel Embolo.
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06:49 - 07.07.2024
England break shoot-out curse: Win first EURO penalty in 28 years with perfect record as Bukayo Saka redeems himself
England won their first EURO penalty shoot-out since 1996, achieving a perfect record by converting all their spot kicks, mirroring their only other flawless performance in a major tournament shoot-out.
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But Saka's stunning long-range equaliser in the 80th minute forced extra time and, ultimately, a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.
In the shootout, the 22-year-old exorcised the demons of his missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final, calmly slotting home to put England on course for a 5-3 victory, with Trent Alexander-Arnold netting the decisive spot-kick.
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Southgate waxes lyrical about Saka
A delighted Southgate was fulsome in his praise for Saka after the game, hailing the Arsenal winger's incredible work ethic and professionalism.
He's a dream to work with,' the England boss told Euro2024.com after the pulsating clash against the Swiss.
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Bukayo is a fabulous boy, such a good professional, so much fun to be around. He does an amazing job for the team with and without the ball.'
The young forward's memorable strike means he is now the youngest player to score for the Three Lions in a European Championship quarter-final, surpassing Michael Owen's previous record.
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And Southgate believes Saka's maturity and determination have been integral to England's run to the semi-finals, where they will face the Netherlands.
For somebody like Bukayo [Saka], who has been through what he's been through, to live through that moment of pressure – I'm so, so proud of them,' the manager added.
England's nerve-shredding victory means they have finally ended their penalty shootout hoodoo at major tournaments, having failed to win a spot-kick decider since the Euro 96 quarter-final against Spain.
And Southgate believes his side's triumph in the shootout is further evidence of the immense mental strength running through the squad.
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We've had our demons with penalties in the past, but the work we've done on that side of the game has really paid off,' he said. 'The players have shown incredible character and resilience to come through that.'
The England boss added: 'Now the challenge is to go and win it. These players have shown they can handle the pressure, and I fully believe they've got what it takes to go all the way.'
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