The Sky Sports Racing cameras head to Worcester’s jumps meeting and the Flat fixtures at Ripon and Wolverhampton on Monday, with 21 live races across the three tracks.
3.45 Worcester – Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash
Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash in the AK Bets Meet Celebrant Dave On-Course Handicap Hurdle (3.45).
Sheena West saddles Mr Freedom, who was once fifth in the Fred Winter. He won last time out on the Flat but has been less than consistent before this. He needs to return to that Cheltenham Festival performance level to be in with a chance.
Lallygag’s form looked somewhat consistent before he ran out last time at Newton Abbot and, in an attempt to refocus the seven-year-old, Paul Nicholls reaches for the cheekpieces and re-instates champion jockey Harry Cobden for a steady set of hands.
The danger horse here is the four-timer seeking Bethpage. Joe Anderson takes off a valuable 3lb but this appears to be a deeper contest for him.
7.25 Ripon – Last-time-out winners Havana Prince and Makalu feature
In-form duo Havana Prince and Makalu feature in the Bishopton Equine Handicap (7.25).
Front-running Havana Prince is seeking a hat-trick of wins at Ripon following two consecutive course and distance victories. There could be more improvement at a track that clearly suits him.
Ruth Carr’s Makalu managed to defy a poor start last time out to notch a win at Beverley. He is only off 4lb higher and can be competitive.
Garden Oasis is also somewhat of a course specialist with five wins at Ripon to his name, he won off 85 back in 2021 and has a big chance.
8.00 Ripon – High Opinion bids for hat-trick
High Opinion bids for three on the bounce in the Download The At The Races App Handicap (8.00).
Bryan Smart’s five-year-old was always doing enough to win at Catterick last time out and that form has taken a boost as the second has won since. Despite being raised 5lb in the weights, Andrew Breslin on board will try to counteract this by taking off a handy 3lb.
Vadamiah seems to enjoy the trip around Ripon and could enter calculations in the hands of Luke Morris.
Paddy’s Day was only beaten a neck last time out at Newcastle but he did not seem fully comfortable over this course and distance earlier this season. He needs to bring his best here.
Monday’s racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds
Watch every race from Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon – live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday July 8.
Wild card Emma Raducanu was shocked by qualifier Lulu Sun as her encouraging Wimbledon run came to a disappointing end in the fourth round on a gloomy Sunday.
The 21-year-old had inspired hopes of more US Open-style heroics by coming through her opening three matches without dropping a set.
But she looked nervous against powerful New Zealander Sun, the first qualifier to make the women’s singles quarter-finals here in 14 years, and, despite battling to force a deciding set, slumped to a 6-2 5-7 6-2 defeat.
History for Sun at Wimbledon
Lulu Sun is the second-lowest ranked (123) player in the last 15 editions of the tournament to make the women’s singles quarter-finals at the Championships – ranked higher only than Serena Williams in 2018 (181).
“It was a great match against her. She really dug deep in there to try and get the win from me,” said an emotional Sun.
“I had to fight tooth and nail against her… she was obviously going to run for every ball and fight until the end.
“I was looking around [Centre Court] and just taking it all in for the first time.
“I’m super happy to be able to play on this court in front of all of you. It was an amazing experience for me.”
Left-hander Sun, who had never won a Grand Slam main-draw match before this week and is now on a seven-match winning streak, racked up 52 winners compared with just 19 from Raducanu and will now face Donna Vekic for a place in the semi-finals.
It has not been a comfortable 24 hours for Raducanu, with the positive vibes from her three impressive wins given a hammering by her decision to deny Andy Murray a Wimbledon swansong by pulling out of their mixed doubles opener citing a stiff wrist.
She found herself the subject of unwanted headlines, with the social media contribution of Judy Murray – albeit subsequently claimed not to be a criticism of Raducanu – adding fuel to the fire.
The strapping on her right wrist that had been present in practice on Saturday was nowhere to be seen, and Raducanu looked happy and relaxed hitting with fellow British player Liam Broady ahead of the match.
But, from the start of the contest on Centre Court, the former US Open champion, who knows all too well what qualifiers can achieve, seemed anything but comfortable.
Her serve, which has been a key strength all tournament, was off and her groundstrokes lacked their usual fizz.
Sun, on the other hand, looked like playing on Centre Court was something she had been doing all her life, the 23-year-old crunching the ball and breaking the Raducanu serve – which the Briton had not dropped since the first round – twice to go 3-0 up.
Raducanu retrieved one of the breaks but her comeback was short-lived as Sun, who defeated eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in round one, powered her way to another break and then the set.
The Brit was under pressure again at the start of the second but this time managed to hold on to her serve, with Sun, ranked 123, putting a simple forehand volley long on break point at 1-1.
Raducanu then had two break points in the next game but was unable to change the momentum, missing two backhand returns off second serves.
She hung on again in the seventh game but at least produced some of her best tennis to save two more break points.
Raducanu’s efforts in keeping her nose in front on serve were rewarded at 5-6 when Sun tightened up a little, missing an overhead and then going long on the second set point.
However, the mood changed in the opening game of the third set when Raducanu slipped while hitting a forehand, sitting on the ground shaking her head before calling the trainer, who worked on her left hip, leg and back, which she had been periodically holding during the second set.
Raducanu underwent surgery on her left ankle last year, as well as both wrists, after slipping at a tournament in Auckland.
She restarted in confident fashion with an ace but looked a little uncertain in her movement and dropped serve. The crowd tried to inspire Raducanu into another fightback but a double fault cost her a second break at 2-4 and Sun clinched a deserved victory after two hours and 50 minutes.
Sun vs Raducanu: Tale of the Tape
Sun
Match Stats
Raducanu
4
Aces
4
4
Double Faults
2
69%
1st serve win percentage
54%
54%
2nd serve win percentage
53%
23/28
Net points won
3/7
5/13
Break points won
2/7
52
Total winners
19
44
Unforced errors
21
111
Total points won
95
Jonathan Overend says it was a good call by Emma Raducanu to pull out of the mixed doubles event with Andy Murray
Paolini reaches Wimbledon quarters after tearful Keys retires injured
Image: Madison Keys was forced to retire injured against French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini
French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini reached the quarter-finals for the first time after a totally distraught Madison Keys was forced to call it quits at 5-5 in the third set with a suspected groin injury.
Playing under a closed Court One roof on yet another soggy day at the All England Club, Keys appeared to have one foot in the last eight when she went to serve for the match at 5-2 up the deciding set but clutched her left groin immediately after getting broken.
The American 12th seed called for the trainer one game later and limped off court for a medical time out before re-emerging with her left thigh heavily strapped.
Upon resumption, she started sobbing after netting a drop shot to fall 15-40 behind. Although the 29-year-old saved the first break point with a backhand winner, she was again in tears after surrendering her serve with a double fault.
Clearly struggling to even walk between points, Keys somehow conjured a lob to win the first point off Paolini’s next service game. But when she saw the next point whizz past her for an ace, she shook her head and signalled it was all over as she walked to the net to give her Italian opponent a tearful hug.
The Italian seventh seed had produced a stirring comeback from 5-1 down in the second set to force a tiebreak and the final score ended up being 6-3 6-7 (8-6) 5-5 in Paolini’s favour when a heartbroken Keys had to call it a day.
“I’m so sorry for her. To end the match like this it’s sad. We played a really good match. it was really tough, lots of up and downs. I feel a bit happy but also sad for her because it’s not easy to win like that,” Paolini, who had not won a Tour-level main draw match on grass before this year, told the crowd in a courtside interview.
“It was a rollercoaster. I started really well and was really focused on court but she’s a great champion and she raised her level so it was tough to return balls. I was repeating to myself stay in there. At the end I know she retired, but I’m here with the win.
“I hope you enjoyed the match,” added the 28-year-old after becoming the fifth Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in the professional era, equalling the country’s best result at the grasscourt major.
Paolini will next face either US Open champion Coco Gauff or American 19th seed Emma Navarro.
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Lando Norris admitted to being “fed up” after narrowly missing out on another Formula 1 victory at the British Grand Prix.
Norris came from fourth to take the lead at his home race, but the British driver and his McLaren team combined to make several errors around a final pit stop which gave up the lead to eventual winner Lewis Hamilton, before Max Verstappen passed him for second in the closing stages.
Since claiming his maiden F1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May, Norris has had strong chances of victory at five of the six races that have followed, but has failed to take advantage of having the most consistent race pace during that period.
“I know (it’s a podium at the British GP) but I’m fed up of just saying I should have done better and I should have done this and could have done that, or whatever,” Norris told Sky Sports F1.
” I don’t care if it takes time, I don’t want it to take time. I should be doing it now, we should be winning now. I should be making better decisions than what I’m making.
Race highlights from Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.
“I’m just disappointed, it’s a win. It’s a win in Formula 1 and I’m not going to settle for something less when we should have achieved it.”
By passing Norris in the closing stages, Red Bull’s Verstappen extended his lead over the Brit at the top of the drivers’ standings to 84 points.
Norris finished second to Verstappen in Imola, Canada and Spain, before damage sustained in a collision between the pair when battling for the lead in Austria last weekend forced Norris to retire.
Lewis Hamilton takes the lead of the British GP, after Lando Norris suffers from a slow pit stop.
“I’m not (being hard on myself),” Norris continued.
“Should we have won a race today? Yes? Did we? No. So I’m not going to be happy with another third place. I lost more points to Max, so I’m not going to be happy with that.
“Plenty of good things, there are positives, yes, but I’m only going to be satisfied with the end result and I’m not.”
Norris: Soft tyre call left no chance of win
In a thriller at Silverstone, Norris dropped from third on the grid to fourth after being passed by Verstappen on the opening lap, but was able to scythe his way through to the lead as the McLaren excelled in slippery conditions when rain began to fall.
Norris held the lead as heavier rain forced the field to switch to intermediate tyres, and maintained a lead over Hamilton until the rain eased to set up a crucial final pit stop to go back onto slick tyres.
George Russell holds the lead from Lewis Hamilton as Max Verstappen is up into third ahead of Lando Norris on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton came in at the end of lap 38 as Norris stayed out for a further circuit, which enabled the Mercedes to gain time on the faster compound, while the McLaren driver compounded the problem by running slightly deep into his pit box to lose further time.
But most crucially, McLaren gave Norris the same soft tyre that Mercedes had put Hamilton on for the remaining 13 laps.
Verstappen, who pitted at the same time as Hamilton, was on hard tyres, which gave the Dutchman more freedom to push without fear of suffering degradation in the final stages.
Lando Norris takes full advantage of some slippery conditions at Silverstone, as he overtakes both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for the race lead.
Norris was caught and passed by Verstappen on lap 48, while Hamilton was able to hold on for victory with relative ease. Frustratingly for McLaren, Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri showed strong pace in the final stint on the same new medium tyre that Norris had available.
Reflecting on his regrets, Norris said: “Just the two at the end. Just what tyre to box on to and a lap too late. I think the lap too late is completely on me. That’s just driver feel and driver knowledge of when to box and Lewis did a better job than me on that side.
“Boxing to the soft, that’s a team call, that’s between me. So many good parts but, again, just a couple that let us down and threw away the win so pretty disappointed.”
Max Verstappen overtakes Lando Norris for second as he looks to chase down Lewis Hamilton for the race win at Silverstone!
Explaining why he and the team came to the decision to fit a soft tyre, Norris said: “Lewis was on it, he won the race.
“It’s not the wrong call but we’re terrible on soft tyres as a team. Just because of the car balance and how it works. We’ve always been bad on that kind of tyre, Mercedes have always been very good so I almost had no chance of beating them.
“I expected to come out ahead of the Mercedes, I didn’t, but even if I came out ahead I wouldn’t have won the race because we were too slow.”
Stella: Pit wall should take decisions away from drivers
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella admitted the wrong call had been made regarding Norris’ tyres.
Stella also conceded that McLaren had made a mistake earlier in the race when choosing not to double stack Piastri behind Norris in the pits, which resulted in the Australian dropping from second to fifth as the leaders switched to intermediate tyres in the rain.
“Difficult conditions, mixed. Many calls to be made. Many were right but there were a couple that in hindsight we would do differently,” Stella told Sky Sports F1.
Listen in to the cool-down room where Lewis Hamilton offers some advice to a despondent Lando Norris about McLaren’s strategy at the British GP.
“I think we would acknowledge that giving one more lap with Oscar, we lost a lot of time before going onto the intermediate tyres. We didn’t want to lose the time in the double shuffle but in hindsight, it would have been the right thing to do.
“And the second call is that with Lando, we should have gone on medium tyres at the end rather than trying to match Lewis. I think it would have been safer to be competitive at the end of the race, and even if Lewis had been ahead after the stop, then I think we would have had our shot at the end of the race with more consistent tyres.
“It’s easy in hindsight. They are all opportunities to grow and improve as a team. I think overall, it’s great once again for McLaren to be in a podium finish, Oscar P4, many points – important for both championships.”
In the cases of both Norris and Piastri, lengthy discussions between driver and pit wall took place over team radio, which Stella admitted contributed to the wrong decisions being taken.
Karun Chandhok unpicks the British GP where five possible drivers could have taken victory but Lewis Hamilton claimed his record ninth win.
“For both Oscar not going one more lap and for Lando not going on soft but actually going on medium, it should have been a call of the pit wall,” he added.
“So we take the responsibility for this. The drivers, they already keep themselves quite busy in keeping their car on track in these conditions. The pit wall have more information. It’s for us to make these calls.
“We will grow and learn, but we are also excited and encouraged that we keep being competitive and fighting at the front. A bit of a bittersweet day because we know we could have won the race, but ultimately many positives and we take it from here looking forward to the next events.”
Despite failing to maximise their potential, McLaren were the highest scorers in the constructors’ standings, reducing their deficit to leaders Red Bull to 78 points and closing within seven points of second-placed Ferrari.
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Judy Murray has clarified her perceived criticism of Emma Raducanu for pulling out of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
Raducanu had been due to play with Andy Murray on Saturday evening but withdrew a few hours before, citing soreness in her right wrist, thus bringing the Scot’s Wimbledon career to a premature and unfortunate end.
Murray was understood to be devastated by the situation, and his mother Judy gave a quick reaction on the social media site X, replying to a message branding the decision ‘astonishing’ with a two-word reply: “Yes, astonishing.”
That was taken as criticism of 21-year-old Raducanu, who is due to play her fourth-round singles match on Sunday afternoon on Centre Court.
But on Sunday morning Murray put out another message, instead pointing the finger at the scheduling, saying: “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days. Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski, meanwhile, immediately backed Raducanu’s decision, writing on X: “More than understandable @EmmaRaducanu has pulled out of the mixed doubles. No need to take a risk with the wrist.”
Murray and Raducanu would not have begun their match against Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo until around 8pm, which could have meant not finishing their media obligations and other post-match duties until after midnight.
Wimbledon had little choice, though, with Arevalo needing to finish off a men’s doubles match earlier in the day and with the bad weather having delayed the singles competitions, which take priority over doubles in the scheduling.
The situation is hugely unfortunate given the momentum Raducanu, who finally appears to have settled into life on tour, has built up on court over the last few weeks.
Her main priority will be ensuring her wrist, which she had surgery on last year, does not become a major problem again and that this saga does not derail her singles run. She practised as scheduled on Saturday but with tape around the joint.
In hindsight, she will probably reflect that she should have turned down Murray’s invitation, however much she wanted to accept it, to avoid this possible outcome.
Last Briton standing
Image: Lulu Sun won three matches at Roehampton to make the main draw before stunning eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round
Raducanu will record her best Wimbledon result if she wins her fourth-round match on Sunday.
Comparisons have been made to her run to the US Open title in 2021 after she beat ninth seed Maria Sakkari on Friday.
But this time she will be the one coming up against a qualifier as she takes on New Zealand’s world No 123 Lulu Sun, who won three matches at Roehampton to make the main draw before stunning eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in the first round.
Raducanu will start as favourite but her wrist could be a concern, while she can expect to face questions about her decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles.
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Bukayo Saka said he had belief in himself as he capped a player-of-the-match performance by scoring in England’s Euro 2024 shoot-out win over Switzerland to banish his penalty demons from three years ago.
Not only did Saka equalise for England with a fine individual strike to cancel out Breel Embolo’s opener – to make it 1-1 and take the match to extra-time – he took the third of the five penalties which were all scored by Gareth Southgate’s side to secure a 5-3 win in the shoot-out and a semi-final showdown with Netherlands.
Saka was one of three players who missed from the penalty spot in the Euro 2020 final loss to Italy at Wembley in July 2021 and, as well as Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who were the other takers who failed from 12 yards, was racially abused online in the aftermath.
Since then the 22-year-old Arsenal forward has morphed into a key player for club and country, scoring 10 of the 11 penalties he has taken for the Gunners following the harrowing experience.
“I think for me it’s something I embrace,” he said about exorcising his demons.
“You can fail once but you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position again or not. I’m a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself.
Ryan Bertrand reacts to Saka’s stunning equaliser
“When I saw the ball hit the net, I was a very happy man.
“I’m not going to be focusing on the past. That’s done. I can only focus on now and taking a penalty.
“Of course I know there’s a lot of nervous people watching, my family included, and in the crowd. But I kept my cool and I scored.”
Southgate’s praise for Saka…
England boss Gareth Southgate:
“I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch,” he said. “He’s a special boy, he’s a dream to work with, wonderful family.
“Of course pleased for everybody but for him especially when his went in. That takes courage but we have belief in him. We had belief in him previously.
“He’s now got a lot more experience of those pressure moments and his all-round performance was exceptional.”
‘Two more games to change our lives’
Image: Saka celebrates after equalising for England against Switzerland
While Saka is Arsenal’s regular penalty taker, Southgate now has an embarrassment of riches from the spot as Cole Palmer and Ivan Toney are also the defacto first-choice takers for Chelsea and Brentford respectively and both converted in Dusseldorf.
Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold made it a perfect shoot-out for England, with Jordan Pickford’s save from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji proving the difference.
“For myself, I believe we have some of the best takers in the Premier League and the world,” added Saka.
“We talked about it before that if it did go to penalties, we would be pretty confident. I’m happy we showed that, we scored five out of five. We’re through to the next round.
“We know there are two more games until we can change our lives and make some history. We’re really focused on that.”
‘Starboy Saka lights a spark’
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones on Saka’s standout performance against Switzerland:
The Starboy.
Starting as the right-wing back to many raised eyebrows. Saka vindicated Gareth Southgate’s decision to play him down that flank as he tore Michel Aebischer apart one-on-one. His three crosses in the first half, on another day, could have led to three goals. Aebischer was dribbled past five times in the first half, the joint most by a player in a match at Euro 2024.
This was the Saka we see week-in-week-out at Arsenal, epitomised by his super-cool goal and immense penalty in the shoot-out.
This was redemption. A performance for the ages.
Kane praises Saka’s mentality
Captain Harry Kane praised Saka’s mentality after stepping up to take a penalty in England’s win over Switzerland
England captain Harry Kane on Saka’s performance against Switzerland:
“What a performance in the whole game [from Saka].
“Playing in a position he’s played before but not used to playing, he was our real outlet with the ball.
“He caused them problems the whole game and got the goal he fully deserved with a fantastic finish. He got us back in the game when we needed it most. But then without the ball as well, the work he put it, the shift he put in, the blocks and the tackles right up until the 120th minute.
“Then to step up in the shoot-out the way he did. I know the mentality he has and that he would be comfortable in that situation, despite what has happened in the past.
“He prepares really well for moments like that and he executed it perfectly. It was a fantastic night for him and he fully deserves it.”
Saka’s performance was magnificent. After what he went through at the last Euros, to have the bravery to step up again with everyone on your back, if anyone deserves it, it’s him.
‘Saka was the best player on the pitch’
Kaveh Solhekol summarises Bukayo Saka’s stand-out performance against Switzerland, including his incredible curled strike to equalise and keep England in the tournament.
“Saka was absolutely brilliant. He was the best player on the pitch, even before the penalty and the redemption story surrounding his spot-kick.
“During normal time and extra-time he was exceptional.
“He was asked to play as a wing-back on the right. It’s not his favourite position but he didn’t put a foot wrong.
Rob Dorsett delivers his verdict on England’s win over Switzerland and wonders if the victory will give them momentum to reach the Euro 2024 final
“Going forward, he was direct, his first touch was exceptional and the ball seemed to stick to him. He didn’t really have to do much defending because, for most of the game, he was the one threatening his opposite number. But, when he did have to defend, he did a really good job.
“It was an all-action display from him and it was capped by a goal made by Arsenal as he received the ball from Declan Rice before the midfielder made a good decoy run which just opened up the space for Saka.
“Then there was the penalty shoot-out. When Saka was walking up to take his penalty, I think every England fan inside that stadium and everyone watching at home was just thinking about what happened three years ago when he missed in the Euro 2020 final against Italy and the disgraceful racist abuse that he had to put up with on social media. You were just hoping he scored because we didn’t want to be revisiting what happened. We didn’t want to be talking about that again or have any of those issues again.
“Thankfully, he was just so cool and he was so calm.”
Nev on England’s penalty success: ‘There’s clear plan’
Reflecting on England’s penalty shoot-out – the first time the country has ever converted all five of their kicks – Gary Neville praised the mentality of the players but also the preparation and experience they have in that situation.
“I don’t think the fear ever goes for those players stepping up, but there’s no doubt they’re in a better place than we have been as a country in the past,” he said.
“There is a clear plan of who is going to take them, a clear plan for the ‘keeper in which way he’s going to dive – I know that’s not new but everything is well thought out.
“You need people on the pitch who have been in that position before, who take penalties naturally. That’s what we had – five guys who have been comfortable taking a spot-kick.
“I know there is the added pressure of being in a tournament but if you have that repetitive experience you’ve had before it definitely helps.
“There were times when we were playing for England where there were lads stepping up who hadn’t taken a pen for 15 years since they were a kid.”
Saka shows his mettle and quality
Image: Saka holds off Michel Aebischer
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
England would not be celebrating a place in the last four without Saka. The Arsenal forward, England’s most dangerous player, even playing as a wing-back, scored a stunning equaliser during a player-of-the-match performance in Dusseldorf.
Even more impressive, though, was his willingness to then step up and take one of England’s penalties in the shoot-out, only three years after the miss that proved so costly in the final of Euro 2020. Not only that, he converted it too, demonstrating his quality and mettle to help England get over the line.
Penalty decision-making, tactical plans and England’s streetwise nature were on the agenda during Gareth Southgate’s press conference following the Switzerland win
It is a joy that has permeated the majority of Gareth Southgate’s century of matches. A joyousness that the England manager has strived so hard to nurture. The joy which was disintegrating towards the end of a turgid last-16 game against Slovakia. It’s back. The joy is back.
The players have talked a good game throughout: “special bunch of lads”, “love spending time together”, “oblivious to the negativity outside”, “belief has never been stronger”. There’s been a consistent, almost monotonous message of positivity and unity exuding from the England squad ever since they first joined up at St George’s Park on May 28, well-nigh six weeks ago.
But until now, you didn’t quite believe it.
On the pitch, there has been obvious malcontent. Spats between John Stones and Kyle Walker. Jordan Pickford ranting regularly at his full-backs. Declan Rice frantically gesticulating towards team-mates. Jude Bellingham throwing his arms up in despair.
But finally, inside the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, the unbridled joy and unity was there for all to see. The players embraced and danced and sang along with the tens of thousands of England supporters who spilled in a frothing mass of exultation in front of them. They were joined by the manager, 100 games in and still going. Strong-ish.
Penalty decision-making, tactical plans and England’s streetwise nature were on the agenda during Gareth Southgate’s press conference following the Switzerland win
Southgate had been forced to cower under a shower of plastic cups and abuse that rained down on him from some fans as he left the pitch in Cologne after the dismal 0-0 draw with Slovenia. That was just two weeks ago. Now here he was, orchestrating the crowd, roaring back at them, applauding their loyalty. Boy, how the mood has changed.
Let’s have it right – there are still a host of problems within this England team and the way they are playing. Problems which could be horribly exposed against a strong Netherlands team on Wednesday in Dortmund. But you cannot help feeling that this team now has a special momentum, having reached just about as close to rock bottom as you can get, and escaping. Twice.
Perfect penalties
Image: England players celebrate after defeating Switzerland on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of Euro 2024
Penalties do not hold the same fear for this current generation of England players. That is some statement in its own right. England’s horrible history with spot-kicks is written large into the fabric of our national sport. But what we saw in Dusseldorf was very different. In so many ways it was restorative, and it was special.
The captain, Harry Kane, admitted as much when I spoke to him post-match – and he, England’s best penalty taker, was forced to watch along with the rest of us tortured souls from the pitch side.
Cole Palmer – yet to start a game in this or any major tournament – stepped up first. Ice-cold Cole.
Jordan Pickford displayed all the antics he has learned from so many spot-kicks of the past. He told me post-match that the referee had threatened to book him if he didn’t get back on his line quicker. Treading that fine line. His famous water bottle – a miniaturised encyclopaedia of which Swiss players would shoot where – was bang on. It said Manuel Akanji would go to his left. Pickford dived left. England were ahead.
Jude Bellingham did as was expected. Class personified. No drama or surprise there.
And then there was Bukayo Saka. A man who has become the figurehead of resilience and positivity in this England squad. A shining light for our society, in so many ways. He was the best player on the pitch in the quarter-final. He scored the equaliser with a brilliantly cultured curler. And he stood up to be counted – again – on the biggest stage, when his last Euros shoot-out had ended in devastation, and a horrific raft of criminal, racist abuse.
Captain Harry Kane praised Bukayo Saka’s mentality after stepping up to take a penalty in England’s win over Switzerland
When he scored, with such defiant aplomb, the entire English media pack around me rose as one to herald him. That is not something you see often. It is frowned upon by UEFA. Journalists are supposed to be neutral, professional, reserved. So to see each man and woman in the media tribune roaring their unanimous approval and affection for Saka – it felt like redemption. It felt special.
Ivan Toney told me after the game that he didn’t feel any more nerves than he did when taking a penalty for Brentford. He looked in the goalkeeper’s eyes, waited for Yann Sommer to move, and stroked the ball without even looking at it. Extraordinary.
Then came Trent Alexander-Arnold – the man who had looked broken when I saw him walk towards the England bus after he’d been unceremoniously substituted shortly after half-time against Denmark in Game Two. England’s best ball-striker couldn’t miss, could he? Nope. Game over.
Five perfect penalties. One superb save. England were through.
Tired bodies – but 3-2-4-1 must stay
So what comes next? Well, the toughest thing for England now is recovery. Two successive games of 120 minutes. Two games which have been incredibly draining both physically and emotionally. Pickford told me England had been through the trenches. They need time to rejuvenate. But they don’t have time.
Whereas there was a six-day gap building up to the quarter-final against Switzerland, there is just a three-day gap before Netherlands in the semi-final. Half as much time to recover and prepare.
The good news is, Southgate seems to have struck a new system that allowed his players to perform at a much higher standard. The manager and his assistant Steve Holland deserve huge credit for that. In the space of three days, they ripped up the plan that had personified England’s tactics for the best part of three years, and they started again with a new formation, a new way of playing. Their performance against Switzerland for much of the 90 minutes was their best of the tournament. 3-2-4-1 must stay.
Image: Southgate attempts to prevent Harry Kane falling into the England dugout
For the first time, England had width. Kieran Trippier and Saka hugged the touchline. England found it much easier to get out of defence, and the interminable backwards and sideways passing that had punctuated their first four games was much more rarely seen. I still have concerns about the big gaps that the formation creates in the middle of midfield. But Kobbie Mainoo was hugely impressive alongside Declan Rice in plugging those gaps and getting England ticking.
The fact that England were so dominant for three-quarters of the quarter-final, and yet still had no shot on target before Saka’s equaliser, is a major worry. It is inexplicable. On several occasions, Saka got goal-side of Michel Aebischer, only for his cut-back to find no England foot.
Kane still isn’t right, physically, I am sure of it. He would have gobbled up one or two of those crosses if he was. Bellingham and Phil Foden must do much more with their runs into the box. Foden in particular must recapture his goalscoring genius for Manchester City, if he is to help England to a Euros crown.
Nevertheless, he impressed me with his link-up play. I don’t think he has had a bad game for England in the last few matches, and his influence is growing. The understanding and communication between the two ‘number 10s’ worked.
Southgate’s Shaw dilemma
Image: Luke Shaw returned to action against Switzerland as a sub
Southgate has a huge call to make about Luke Shaw. The plan was to give him 15 minutes of action as he recovers from a hamstring injury that has starved him of any football since mid-February. He played 45 minutes against Switzerland. How has that affected him physically? Is he stronger or weaker for the experience? Only Southgate and his medics will know. The manager will then have to decide if Shaw can start a high-intensity semi-final, four days after his first game in almost five months. That would be a huge, huge ask.
His left foot on the left flank would be a big plus. Trippier has been hugely impressive in his reliability and his versatility. He has been a stalwart of the Southgate era. But he is a right-back, playing on the left flank. I suspect he might keep his place for the semi-final.
Image: Kieran Trippier may retain his spot on the left side
Monday and Tuesday will be big days for England. They are the only training days they have to perfect their tactics for Netherlands. And, knowing Southgate’s schedules, Monday will be an introduction to his and assistant Steve Holland’s thinking, before plans are finalised on Tuesday.
Even for England’s harshest critics – of whom there were many in white shirts that I spoke to in the bars of Dusseldorf leading up to the quarter-final – they surely must be full of admiration for the sheer guts and character that this team has shown. A 96th-minute overhead kick to keep them in the tournament, then a spotless set of spot-kicks in the quarter-final to help them progress.
Out of almost sheer willpower, England have dragged themselves to a major semi-final, having won just one of their five matches in 90 minutes.
That character and never-say-die determination should not be underestimated. It won’t be enough, on its own, to nobble Netherlands. But it’s got them this far, and they are now just one match away from a Euros final in Berlin.
Gareth Southgate hailed England’s character after what he described as their best performance of Euro 2024 in the quarter-final penalty shootout win against Switzerland.
Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the game to extra-time and onto penalties where Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored and Jordan Pickford saved Manuel Akanji’s opening effort for the Swiss as England reached the semi-finals.
It was a dramatic end to an edgy encounter and England’s first shoot-out win since beating the Swiss in the Nations League third-placed play-off five years ago in Portugal.
“I just thought the players were brilliant. It’s the best we have played,” Southgate told the BBC after the win.
Image: Jordan Pickford saves Manuel Akanji’s penalty
“I thought we caused them a lot of problems. They are a really good side. They are hard to press, they are hard to defend against, their movement is good.
“To come from behind again and show the character and resilience we did, talking to the players about that, winning tournaments isn’t just about playing well. It’s not just about that. You’ve got to show other attributes to win and we showed them all tonight.
Image: England players celebrate after defeating Switzerland on penalties to advance to the semi-finals of Euro 2024
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.
“We knew we needed to get pressure on their back three and that’s not easy without changing the shape. I thought the players were disciplined with it.
“I thought Phil was a real problem for them to pick up, Kobbie and Jude were finding those gaps on the side of their block. I thought we had good control. For some of the balls into the box, we probably needed more men in the box, but l thought it was the best that we have played.”
Southgate: No doubting Saka would take a pen
Saka missed the decisive penalty in the final of the last Euros against Italy at Wembley Stadium in 2021 as England fell just short in this competition last time around.
On Saka stepping up to take a penalty in the shootout and scoring this time, Southgate said: “So brave. He is one of our best, so we were never in any question that he was going to take one. But we all know what he went through.
Image: Bukayo Saka after scoring England’s equaliser against Switzerland
“To deliver as he did…. But not just him, Trent and Ivan, to come on and take them as they did; Cole, he’s like an old man in the way he is fearless. So a huge result for us, a huge performance, and we’re still in it.
“We played well today and we had to be tactically spot on. I don’t know what people think of us but we are in a third semi-final, so that says a lot about the group.”
Analysis: Saka shows his mettle and quality
Image: Bukayo Saka scores England’s equaliser against Switzerland
England would not be celebrating a place in the last four without Bukayo Saka. The Arsenal forward, England’s most dangerous player throughout the contest, scored a stunning equaliser during a player-of-the-match performance in Dusseldorf.
Even more impressive, though, was his willingness to then step up and take one of England’s penalties in the shootout, only three years after the miss that proved so costly in the final of Euro 2020. Not only that, he converted it too, demonstrating his quality and mettle to help England get over the line.
England stayed cool from the penalty spot to secure a place in the semi-finals at Euro 2024 – one man, a Starboy, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
England advanced to the semi-finals as Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick proved decisive following a 1-1 draw where Bukayo Saka found his spark.
Here, Sky Sports rates the England players and you too can rate all of them below…
Jordan Pickford – 8
Image: Jordan Pickford saves Manuel Akanji’s penalty
Faultless whenever called upon in an England jersey although Xherdan Shaqiri’s cheeky effort that cannoned off the bar almost gave him his England goalkeeper gaffe moment. Revelled in the theatrics of the penalty shootout, denying Manuel Akanji.
Kyle Walker – 6
Had one of his worst nights for England in the win over Slovakia but looked back to his reliable form in an England shirt. Kept it too safe with his play at times.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Image: Ezri Konsa heads the ball clear
Only five caps but has already faced the challenge of Jeremy Doku and Vinicius Jnr in friendlies with England playing out of position at left-back, so this challenge didn’t look to faze him. Headed clear a dangerous cross early on and made another great block from Breel Embolo after 24 minutes. Handled the dangerous striker admirably but was harshly undone for the opening goal.
John Stones – 6
Image: Breel Embolo scores from close range to give Switzerland the lead against England
His missed clearance was a big factor in this match as Embolo slipped in to score – maybe harsh as otherwise he played with great assurance but this is the reality of knockout football.
Kieran Trippier – 6
Image: Kieran Trippier battles down the left flank
Skinned by Dan Ndoye in a sprint in the first 10 minutes which looked ominous but he never got isolated again. Streetwise performance yet again from a player clearly playing out of position.
Bukayo Saka – 10
Image: Bukayo Saka was England’s Starboy, stepping up when his country called
The Starboy.
Starting as the right-wing back to many raised eyebrows, Saka vindicated Gareth Southgate’s decision to play him down that flank as he tore Michel Aebischer apart one-on-one. His three crosses in the first half, on another day, could have led to three goals. Aebischer was dribbled past five times in the first half, the joint most by a player in a match at Euro 2024.
This was the Saka we see week-in-week-out at Arsenal, epitomised by his super-cool goal and immense penalty in the shootout.
This was redemption. A performance for the ages.
Declan Rice – 8
Image: Declan Rice held it all together in midfield
The rock of this England team. Showed up early with a great interception to set up a counter and continued to boss the midfield. As with most of his game, his long-range shooting is improving as Yann Sommer denied an expert effort from 30 yards in extra-time. Immense.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Image: Kobbie Mainoo impressed in the first half
The second youngest England player at 19 years and 78 days old to start a major tournament quarter-final match and floated around like a devilishly talented operator, especially in the first half. Made a very important and underrated early clearance, played with the required hustle and bustle in midfield up against some senior opponents and broke the lines with some intelligent gliding runs. Faded after the break.
Jude Bellingham – 8
Image: Jude Bellingham dribbles away from Dan Ndoye
Looked fitter and more powerful than we’ve seen at this tournament – like the Real Madrid version of Bellingham. That was emphasised by a rainbow flick to skip away before an impeccable switch of play in the first half. A couple of balls dropped his way that might’ve had his name on but the Swiss blocked well to deny him.
There was no doubt when he stepped up in the shootout.
Phil Foden – 5
Image: Phil Foden makes a run for England against Switzerland
The shackles of playing on the left side of a team playing with no width were released and he looked far more comfortable darting in central areas. Pressed well out of possession. But yet again, failed to truly influence the game in the big moments.
Harry Kane – 5
Image: Harry Kane challenges Granit Xhaka
Sluggish at times with his hold-up play. Seriously caught on his heels from a deadly Saka cross in the first half and just looked a yard off the pace throughout. Departed in extra-time, absolutely legless.
Subs
Cole Palmer (On for Ezri Konsa) – 7
Image: Cole Palmer converts from the penalty spot
Added energy and extra forward thinking with the ball. Stepped up first in the shootout, setting the tone for perfection.
Eberechi Eze (On for Kobbie Mainoo) – 7
Is having to learn on the job how to play left-wing back. Dragged a good opening wide after gliding into space down the left.
Luke Shaw (On for Kieran Trippier) – 8
The first sighting of him at this tournament. It was a welcome one. Two outstanding clearances in central areas towards the end of the second half, showcasing his ability to play as the third centre-back. Another fine clearance in extra-time.
Ivan Toney (On for Harry Kane) – 7
The no-look penalty was delivered on the international stage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (On for Phil Foden) – 7
Image: Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the decisive penalty to send England into the Euro 2024 semi-finals
His best moment in an England shirt. A stunning penalty to win a shootout and to send a country potty.
Manager
Gareth Southgate – 8
Image: Gareth Southgate takes notes
His 100th match in charge of the England national team – the third manager to reach that milestone. Deserves praise for isolating the Swiss down the England right with the starboy Saka. Was a little reactive rather than proactive with his substitutions but got them right eventually. And to prepare his penalty takers with such confidence and aplomb deserves a huge amount of praise. He is still the one.
World No 1 Iga Swiatek was handed a stunning Wimbledon third-round exit as she lost to Yulia Putintseva on Saturday, while Britain’s Harriet Dart saw her championships end in defeat to China’s Xinyu Wang.
Swiatek was on a 21-match winning streak and looked on course to cruise into the last 16 at the All England Club when she claimed the opener, but the Kazakhstan player hit back with a brilliant second set where she broke twice.
Four-time French Open champion Swiatek raced off court before the decider and when she eventually returned faced boos from an impatient crowd.
It seemed to knock the top seed off her stride and she netted to give 30th seed Putintseva an impressive 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory on her third match point.
Moscow-born Putintseva soaked up the adulation before she said in her on-court interview: “It feels great, it feels really great.
“I was just so focused on playing fast and not giving her any time. So, that’s pretty much it.
“I was feeling it on the court and that is why I was like fire. I was trying to entertain you more and more with my shots.
“I just want to enjoy this moment, like cool down a little bit, do a stretch and eat. Important!”
Dart, who had rallied to defeat British rival Katie Boulter in the previous round, was beaten 6-2 5-7 3-6 in a match that lasted two hours and 18 minutes having been disrupted by rain delays earlier in the day.
The British No 2 was denied a spot in the fourth round after dropping six straight games in the deciding third set after leading 3-0 at one stage.
“I’m super happy to be in the fourth round,” Wang told the BBC in her on-court interview. “It was really tough today, Harriet was playing really good, her balls are super flat, she was serving good. It was just a really tough battle, I’m just happy.
“I was getting a bit more used to her balls and all the slices. I felt more comfortable each time as the match was going. Now I’m looking forward to my next match.”
World No 100 Dart opened up a 3-1 advantage to begin the match two hours after its scheduled 11am start, before responding emphatically to a Wang break to restore her two-game lead at 4-2.
A forehand winner chalked up the first set after 38 minutes and Dart looked on course for the next round when she held for 4-3 in the second after the pair had traded breaks of serve.
A double fault soon left her staring at a 15-30 deficit, before the Brit buried a smash into the net from deuce as Wang went on to rescue the hold for 5-5 followed by a defining break of serve.
Frustration began to tell for Dart, who had fought through tears to overcome Boulter in a tense tiebreak earlier in the week.
Dart vs Wang: Tale of the Tape
Dart
Match Stats
Wang
2
Aces
0
7
Double Faults
5
61%
1st serve win percentage
59%
39%
2nd serve win percentage
42%
4/8
Net points won
28/40
6/13
Break points won
7/17
20
Total winners
32
36
47
14
105
Total points won
104
She initially appeared to have recovered well when she raced out to a 3-0 cushion, only for Wang to wrestle the match in her favour by reeling off sixth straight games.
Wang had arrived on the back of defeating America’s Jessica Pegula, making her first win against a top-five opponent.
“Really super happy to be here, I enjoy playing here. I hope to see you guys for my next match and hopefully you cheer more for me next time!”
Ons Jabeur meanwhile crashed out in her pursuit of a third finals appearance at Wimbledon as she lost 6-1 7-6 to Elina Svitolina, who will now go on to face Wang.
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Nick Evans has urged Marcus Smith not to dwell on his three missed kicks at goal in England’s 16-15 defeat to New Zealand in Dunedin.
Smith was handed the No 10 shirt ahead of his namesake Fin Smith after impressing in the 52-17 win over Japan in Tokyo, although an encouraging performance against the All Blacks was tempered by him landing just two of five attempts off the tee at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Former New Zealand fly-half Evans, who now serves as attack coach at Smith’s club Harlequins, knows the 25-year-old will be rightly frustrated by those misses in the one-point defeat, but wants to see him immediately switch focus to the second Test at Eden Park on July 13.
Smith missed a straightforward kick to give England the lead against New Zealand in the first Test
“How will he deal with those missed kicks? I’m sure I’ll get a text, asking me about the game,” Evans told Sky Sports.
“But that’s the sign of a great player, someone who wants to challenge himself and get better. He’s striving for that perfect game.
“He’ll be hurting with that, and it’s important he is, but immediately can you park that? What’s your schedule and kicking routine during the week? Make sure you look at the review and go from there.”
Despite some shakiness with the boot, Smith was solid with the ball in hand, beating five defenders and providing a superb pass for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 47th-minute try. He also came up with 11 tackles in defence with a 100 per cent success rate.
Smith sent Immanuel Feyi-Waboso free to go over in the corner and give England the lead against New Zealand
Former England centre and Sky Sports rugby union expert Will Greenwood was effusive in his praise of how Smith marshalled the team and did not believe his kicking troubles should mar his overall display.
“That confidence maybe of being the No 1 choice at fly-half – he was outstanding against Japan and again today,” Greenwood said.
“People will talk about the missed kicks – that’s a separate part to his game. Like a golfer he can go away and work on his own.
“As a collective, he would have been a joy to play outside as a centre or full-back.”
Highlights of New Zealand’s thrilling win over England in the opening Test in Dunedin
Evans believes Smith’s ability to not let the missed conversion and two missed penalties throw him off his game is a sign of a cool temperament which is so vital in a fly-half if they are to succeed at the highest level.
He was full of praise for the way England’s pack laid the foundations for him to play off as well, and sees that as something to build on going into the second Test next Saturday, which is live on Sky Sports.
“It shows his temperament,” Evans said. “He missed those kicks, but it didn’t affect his attacking game or in defence, where he put some big shots in.
“The ability for him to play flat probably coincided with New Zealand being a little passive off the line, but that came from the ability of the England forward to pick good seams and tips at the line.
“That created lightning-quick ball which allowed Marcus to play flat.”
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