‘Did it for me & Marcus Rashford!’ – Jadon Sancho sends emotional message to Bukayo Saka as Arsenal star erases painful penalty memories for England at Euro 2024

Bukayo Saka was the hero for England as they won on penalties against Switzerland, and Jadon Sancho had a special message for the Arsenal star.

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• Saka scores in crucial penalty shootout
• Sancho thanks 'Man of the Match' Saka
• Says the goal was for him and Rashford

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  In 2021, it was Saka, Sancho and Marcus Rashford that missed their penalties in the final of the Euros against Italy. The Arsenal star pulled off a spectacular performance against Switzerland three years on, with an outstanding equaliser followed by a nerveless spot-kick that was fired beyond Yann Sommer. Sancho thanked Saka for erasing ghosts of the past that had haunted the trio and seen them heavily criticised for.

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• WHAT SANCHO SAID

  On Instagram, Sancho shared a story of Saka with the 'Man of the Match' award and wrote: "I'm so proud of this guy, Bukayo Saka! You did it for me and Marcus [Rashford] brother!"

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Saka has arguably been Gareth Southgate's most consistent forward so far in the Euros, and in a new three-man defensive system the Arsenal starlet has been deployed as a wing-back. In the match against Switzerland, it was expected that he would start as a left wing-back, however, Southgate deployed him on the right to allow Phil Foden to operate as an interior with Saka as the width provider.

• WHAT NEXT FOR SAKA?

  The Arsenal star will definitely be a starter, in likely the same role, when England take on the Netherlands on July 10 in the semi-finals at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.