Everyone remembers the final of Euro 2020 and Saka failing to convert from the spot as Italy were crowned champions.
It was a moment that haunted the Arsenal man for years to come, but he put that right as England secured a nerve-racking win against Switzerland in which he also won Man of the Match.
Just like against Slovakia, the Three Lions were heading out, but Saka stepped up and scored a brilliant effort from outside of the area to send the tie to extra time.
Saturday 17th August
Brighton
From then on, England weren’t able to create enough clear-cut chances to win the game and it went down to penalties.
All five of England’s penalty takers, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold getting the crucial one, scored their spot-kicks and Gary Neville was overjoyed after the full-time whistle.
The Manchester United legend praised Saka for showing the courage to step up after what happened at Euro 2020 and put things right.
Steve Holland is Southgate’s assistant and he has been with the England coach throughout his tenure in the international hotseat.
After the full-time whistle, Neville noticed Holland pointing towards Saka and making people realise what he had just done, as he told ITV Sport.
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This is a big moment in the Hale-End star’s career because he has shown that he has strong character, on top of a high-quality skill set.
Steve Holland singles out Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
“Steve Holland is pointing to him there to say ‘look at what this kid has been through over this last three or four years’,” said Neville. “He now has had a chance to correct it. It’s an absolutely amazing moment, it really is.”
Bukayo Saka of England celebrates with Steve Holland, Assistant Manager of England, following victory during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match...
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Can England get over the line?
England will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, with the likes of Saka set to come up against a few familiar faces.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is having the time of his life, whilst Virgil van Dijk looks back to his best and Saka will face up against a familiar face at left-back.
Nathan Ake has got the better of the Arsenal man on the club stage before, so it’s going to be interesting to see how they fair on the international stage.
This is going to be Saka’s biggest test yet and it allows him to once again prove why he is becoming one of the best in the world.
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