Andrew Cawthorne
(Reuters) – After being subjected to racist abuse after missing the penalty that cost England their Euro 2020 final defeat on penalties, Bukayo Saka put those memories to rest with a superb individual goal and a converted penalty against Switzerland on Saturday.
“It's really tough to come back from a situation like that. I've come out stronger from the experience and I'm happy with the chance I took today,” said England's man of the match.
Saka, who was just 19 at the time of that infamous penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley Stadium, may have had his confidence dashed by the abuse he and other black players received online.
But with the support of manager Gareth Southgate, a huge outpouring of public affection and a backlash against his abusers, he quickly recovered and went on to have a successful career for Arsenal in the Premier League and for England.
Saka is currently a popular player and at just 22 years old, he is almost a veteran having played 38 times for the national team and scored 12 goals.
Saturday's game may have been the most special yet.
Saka's first spectacular curling equaliser came when England were heading for elimination after trailing 1-0 in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, before he was one of five penalty takers to help England win 5-3 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 after extra time.
“I'm proud of myself”
He looked totally focused as he took England's third penalty but then broke into a beaming smile as the ball dropped into the corner.
“We went to penalties at the last Euros and you all know what happened and I'm very proud of the guys and how we managed to win,” the coach said. “I felt we were dominant throughout the game and chances come and chances come and I scored them and I'm very proud of that.”
Southgate, whose comforting of Saka at the last Euros remains a memorable moment for England fans, said he could not be proud of the young player.
“He's very brave, he's one of our best players, so I never thought he'd take it, but we all know what he's been through and he did what he did.”
English football history is filled with painful penalty shootout failures but Saka said he remained calm at the time.
“Even if I fail once, I'm the type of person who wants to be in the same position again. I know there are a lot of people watching nervously, including my family, but I kept my cool and took the penalty,” he said.
(Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Ed Osmond)
