Harry Kane ‘knew’ Bukayo Saka would step up ‘when we needed it most’

• Bukayo Saka starred in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland
• Player of the match Saka exorcised Euro 2020 final penalty shootout demons 
• LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Bukayo Saka was England’s shining light against Switzerland, it was so pleasing to see him score his penalty too

At the age of just 22, out of position as a makeshift wing back and with the demons of a 2020 European Championship final penalty miss hanging over him, Bukayo Saka might have been forgiven for shrinking from the occasion.

But despite so much being demanded of him, the Arsenal star more than stepped up against Switzerland as he helped guide England through to the semi-finals.

Saka scored a superb 80th minute equaliser after Breel Embolo gave the Swiss the lead in the 75th minute. 

Then, three years after his miss in the shootout at Wembley against Italy sealed English heartbreak in the final of the last Euros, he stepped up to calmly finish his penalty in the shootout. He was rightly handed the player of the match award as England’s standout performer on the evening.

England captain Harry Kane, who had another quiet night against the Swiss, recognised just how outstanding a performance Saka’s had been. 

‘What a performance, the whole game,’ Kane said. ‘Playing in a position that he’s played before but that he’s not used to playing. He was our real outlet with the ball, he caused them problems all game.’ 

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Kane added: ‘He got the goal he fully deserved with a fantastic finish, got us back in the game when we needed it most. Then without the ball as well, the work he put in, the shift he put in. The blocks, the tackles, right up until the 120th minute.

‘And then to step up the way he did. I know the mentality he’s got and I knew he’d be comfortable at that situation even though what happened in the past. A fantastic night for him and he deserved it.’

Yet again Gareth Southgate and Kane were bailed out late by one of England’s young stars after coming within minutes of being knocked out in normal time by team significantly lower in the world rankings. 

Saka’s sublime 80th minute finish came just one round after 21-year-old Jude Bellingham’s world class bicycle kick stoppage-time equaliser against Slovakia.

The 30-year-old England skipper, who had already come off late in the game,  described the second late equaliser as ‘unbelievable’.

‘It was a rollercoaster of emotions again to come back after going 1-0 behind so late in the game. 

‘We did what we’ve been doing for the whole tournament and found a way to get through.

 ‘The longer we go in the competition in the manner we’re doing it, it just gives us more and more belief that we’re finding ways to win. We’re enjoying it, we’re enjoying the ride.’

Saka’s goal and penalty helped England into their third semi-final out of four attempts under Southgate. 

And the opportunity against the Netherlands in the semi-final to get one step closer to lifting silverware that Kane and his squad are relishing.

‘We’re proud to be in another semi-final because we know how much it means to everyone back home watching. We want to do everyone proud and that’ll be no different on Wednesday.’