Jadon Sancho sent a poignant letter to Bukayo Saka after England reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
In a dramatic match in Dusseldorf, the Three Lions defeated Switzerland on penalties. Gareth Southgate’s team demonstrated exceptional passion to go to the next round.
After falling behind 1-0 to Breel Embolo’s opener, Saka brought England back into the game with a magnificent individual effort in the 80th minute.
The quarter-final match went to extra time and penalties, with the Three Lions winning 5-3. Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s attempt.
Arsenal’s Saka, along with James Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all converted penalties with ease.
Jadon Sancho praised Bukayo Saka as England reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Saka rescued England in normal time, before the Arsenal star later scored in the shootout
Saka was one of five English players who scored from 12 yards as they won 5-3 on penalties.
Saka’s penalty and Player of the Match performance were especially meaningful given he missed a spot kick in England’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.
Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Sancho were the unfortunate stars who failed to score in the shootout, with Saka’s penalty being the only one he had ever taken for his country prior to Saturday.
The trio all received horrible racial insults in the aftermath of the final, and Saka’s calm penalty against Switzerland shows enormous courage in burying any wounds from that defeat three years ago.
And, after the game, Sancho praised Saka on Instagram, sharing a photo of the Arsenal star with his Player of the Match trophy and writing: ‘I’m very happy of this guy @bukayosaka87!
‘You did it for me and Marcus brother!’, alluding to the horrible trauma they endured together and banishing the punishment demons.
Saka subsequently responded to his old England teammate’s heartfelt remark, saying, ‘My lads.’
On Saturday, Saka was England’s finest player in a difficult quarter-final clash, serving as the team’s main attacking outlet.
He had four effective dribbles by halftime and had a desire that others lacked, until his moment of magic rescued the Three Lions and sent the game to extra time.
Speaking to media after the game, Saka highlighted his joy at England’s advancement while mentioning the aforementioned penalty shootout loss to Italy.
‘We all know what happened in the last penalty shootout at the Euros,’ he remarked.
I believe. I felt like we dominated the entire game, and when the opportunity presented itself, I seized it. I’m proud of myself for it.
Sancho’s message was in reference to the Euro 2020 final where England lost on spot kicks to Italy after Saka, Sancho and Marcus Rashford all missed their spot kicks in the shootout
Sancho hailed Saka and said ‘You did it for me and Marcus’ in reference to that setback
Saka later responded to Sancho’s message and expressed his love for him and Rashford
‘It’s (pressure) something I embrace. You can fail once and you have a choice over whether you put yourself in that position again.
‘I’m a guy who’s going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself.
‘I’m not going to be focusing on the past. That’s done. I can only focus on now and taking the penalty. Of course I know there’s a lot of nervous people watching, including my family in the crowd. But I kept my cool and scored.’
England return to action on Wednesday when they face the Netherlands in the semi-final after Ronald Koeman’s side came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday night.