‘You did it for me and Marcus Rashford’: Sancho praises Saka for shootout redemption in Euro 2024 quarterfinal

English winger Jadon Sancho lauded Bukayo Saka following his ‘redemption’ in England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal on Saturday, dismissing memories of their performance in the previous final against Italy in 2021.

Stepping up in the shootouts after England were locked 1-1 with Switzerland after extra time, Saka turned in the fourth goal as England won 5-3 on penalties following a save from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Sancho, Saka and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford had previously failed to score their spot kicks in the shootout against Italy at the Wembley Stadium in 2021, extending their wait for the European title. The trio – all Black players – were subjected to severe racist abuse on social media following the defeat.

Sancho’s Instagram story for Saka.

Saka was adjudged the Player of the Match after the 22-year-old netted a quick equaliser for England in regulation time after falling 0-1 down in the 75th minute. Sharing an Instagram story with Saka holding the PoTM award, Sancho wrote: “I’m so proud of this guy, Bukayo Saka! You did it for me and Marcus [Rashford] brother!”

Sancho and Rashford, currently with Manchester United, were earlier excluded from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this edition of the Euros.

Saka said that he had used the experiences of 2021 to “make me stronger”, insisting that penalties were “something I embrace”.

“You can fail once but you have a choice if you put yourself in that position or not again. I’m a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself. And when I saw the ball hit the back of the net, I was a very happy man,” Saka remarked.

England will next face the Netherlands in the semifinal on July 10 at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

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