There have been rumours all week that Gareth Southgate was ready to make changes. The suspension of one of our best players in this tournament, Marc Guehi, made this inevitable with Ezri Konsa the most likely replacement. This was somewhat predictable but what was less so, was the change from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1 / 5-2-2-1 - playing Phil Foden in his favoured no. 10 role alongside Jude Bellingham.
When the team sheet came out, this was confirmed and for the width, it looked like Trippier would be the natural Right Wingback and Saka would have that role on the left - natural right and left footed players, providing width in their respective positions. This wasn't what happened though, with Trippier staying on the left and Saka on the right - raising the obvious question of where the width would come from.
It felt like some needed change although it didn't look much different on the team sheet and was the limit of Southgate's creativity.
1st Half
From kick off, it looked like it had 0-0 written all over it. Switzerland clearly didn't want to lose - a very conservative 5-4-1 without the ball, heavily relying upon Embolo to make something happen up top.
England were pressing much higher than usual too - something every player, pundit and fan has been crying out for.
Signs of improvement, but when 2 teams don't want to concede, it makes for the usual dull viewing. The 1st Half a non-event with neither Goalkeeper tested.
2nd Half
The 2nd Half wasn't much different. The 2 teams having spells of possession whilst the other was happy to defend but as the half reached the 60 minute mark, I could see England's bad habits coming back, with our defence slowly creeping back towards our own goal and Harry Kane (another no-show for him tonight) dropping into Midfield and condensing our play even more.
Murat Yakin (Switzerland's manager) probably sensed this, deciding to make a couple of subs to affect the game. Gareth Southgate, in typical Southgate fashion, doesn't notice these things quickly enough.
Whilst in control of the game, Switzerland and that man Embolo got their reward, going 1-0 up after Ndoye was able to knock the ball across for a tap in on 75 minutes.
75 minutes and once again, England hadn't had a shot on target.
Southgate finally made his move shortly after, an attack minded change of Palmer, Eze and the rather tubby Luke Shaw replacing Mainoo, Trippier and Konsa.
These changes and being the goal behind brought a new energy to the team and just like our game against Slovakia, our first shot on target was made to count.
Bukayo Saka, our best player on the night being allowed to cut inside and as we've seen him do so often, whipped the ball into the bottom corner to score a lovely goal.
It felt like we were on top after that but didn't do enough to carry the momentum - the game deservedly going to extra time.
Extra Time
There were moments during extra time where penalties looked inevitable. England with 11 men behind the ball and Switzerland literally stood still, waiting for any kind of England press.
Switzerland had their chances to win it though whilst England offered very little.
Penalties
England fans of my generation will loathe penalties. Losing to Germany at Italia '90 and then again in Euro '96. Argentina in 1998, then Portugal in 2004 and 2006. Italy in 2012 and then the final in 2020. A record of just 4 penalty wins from 11 attempts.
Younger fans might be more optimistic, seeing us win 3 of the last 4.
We should be good at penalties, with many being 1st choice for their clubs. Cole Palmer (9 out of 9 for Chelsea), Ivan Toney (29 out of 31 in all competitions), Bukayo Saka (10 out of 11 for Arsenal) and Eberechi Eze (7 out of 8). Even without Harry Kane - I had reason to be optimistic.
And fortunately so. Jordan Pickford saving from Manuel Akanji's opening kick with Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Toney and Trent all scoring confidently.
Who Next?
Before kick off, I'd have predicted another tough game against the Netherlands in the Semi-Final but with Turkey leading through a well worked Akaydin header, it could be a tasty test against the heavily supported Turks. A match-up that's could be as tasty off the pitch as it might be on it.
It was also interesting watching France's Quarter Final last night and the criticism that Didier Deschamps has received from the French media. Too negative. Too defensive. Remarkable parallels to England with the significant difference of France winning the World Cup in 2018. "Tournament Football" = Most Boring European Championships in its history.
Match Highlights
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