Prince William fist pumps as he celebrates England’s ‘nail-biting’ Euros shootout win

Prince William went through it just like the rest of us watching England once again leave it late, eventually seeing off Switzerland on penalties to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

The Prince of Wales showed a range of emotions at the Dusseldorf Arena as he cheered on Gareth Southgate’s men. William, who is president of the FA, was seen out of his seat and punching the air after England equalised in the 80th minute, around five minutes after Switzerland scored the first goal.

He could also be seen with his head in his hands as the game finished 1-1 after extra-time, before getting back to his feet to celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s winning spot-kick.

Congratulating the Three Lions, William later wrote on social media: ‘Nail biting to the very end. Well done @England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W’
The prince earlier joined guests including UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin in the stands for the rendition of ‘God Save the Kick’ before Saturday’s quarter-final kicked off.

He was previously seen at the Three Lion’s match against Denmark last month, joined by Danish King Frederik X.

Three years on from being denied the European crown on spot-kicks, England had to fight their demons from 12 yards to continue their quest to go one better in Germany.

Bukayo Saka cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to take the quarter-final to extra-time and onto penalties after it ended 1-1, with the England star converting to bury the ghosts of his Euro 2020 final miss.

But Pickford was the star as he saved Manuel Akanji’s penalty, with Trent Alexander-Arnold wrapping up a 5-3 triumph to spark bedlam in Dusseldorf and seal a semi-final spot.

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.

England fans were pictured celebrating as they watched from a series of screenings, including at BOXPARK, Wembley, Sandown Park, Esher and Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire.

One man crowd-surfed shirtless at Millennium Square in Leeds to celebrate Saka’s strike.

The match went to extra time with the two teams drawing 1-1.

In BOXPARK, fans danced to Tubthumping by Chumbawamba singing, ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again’, as they prepared to watch extra time.

After 30 minutes of no goals, the two sides entered into a tense penalty shootout, which England won after netting all five attempts.

The Switzerland clash was Southgate’s 100th game in charge of the senior national team and his 24th match as England manager at a major tournament – nine more than anyone else in history.

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The Prince of Wales showed a range of emotions at the Dusseldorf Arena (Picture: Rex/PA/Getty)
The Prince of Wales showed a range of emotions at the Dusseldorf Arena (Picture: Rex/PA/Getty) © Provided by Metro
Prince William speaks with attendees ahead of the quarter-final match between England and Switzerland (Picture: AP)
Prince William speaks with attendees ahead of the quarter-final match between England and Switzerland (Picture: AP) © Provided by Metro
The prince speaks with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (centre left) (Picture: PA)
The prince speaks with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (centre left) (Picture: PA) © Provided by Metro
William, sitting behind Luis Figo, holds his hands up to his face (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock)
William, sitting behind Luis Figo, holds his hands up to his face (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock) © Provided by Metro
The Prince of Wales celebrates after Bukayo Saka draws England level (Picture: Getty)
The Prince of Wales celebrates after Bukayo Saka draws England level (Picture: Getty) © Provided by Metro
He can barely look as the match heads to penalties (Picture: Getty)
He can barely look as the match heads to penalties (Picture: Getty) © Provided by Metro
The Prince of Wales (centre) celebrates England winning the penalty shoot-out (Picture: PA)
The Prince of Wales (centre) celebrates England winning the penalty shoot-out (Picture: PA) © Provided by Metro
England players celebrate after Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the winning penalty kick (Picture: Getty)
England players celebrate after Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the winning penalty kick (Picture: Getty) © Provided by Metro
Bukayo Saka buried the ghosts of his Euro 2020 final miss (Picture: ANP via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka buried the ghosts of his Euro 2020 final miss (Picture: ANP via Getty Images) © Provided by Metro
Related video: Prince William celebrates England equaliser against Switzerland in Euro 2024 quarter-final (The Independent)

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Prince William hugs England goal hero Bukayo Saka
Story by Alesia Fiddler and Shekhar Bhatia In Dusseldorf
• 7h • 2 min read

Prince William hugged England goal hero Bukayo Saka as he congratulated the Three Lions after their latest Euros win.

The Prince of Wales hailed last night’s game against Switzerland ‘nail-biting to the very end’ and was snapped cheering with his fists in the air at Dusseldorf Arena after Saka scored the equaliser at the 80th minute.

Chants of ‘England, England, England’ echoed throughout the stadium during the thrilling moment.

After the game William, who is president of the FA, embraced the 22-year-old player in the tunnel.

Wearing a navy suit and a football print tie, William congratulated Saka after the Three Lions won against their opponents to penalties after finishing 1-1.

The Arsenal player scored in the tense shoot-out which saw England earn a place in the semi-finals.
Saka had suffered terrible online racial abuse after missing a penalty against Italy in the last final at the 2020 Euros and was overjoyed at netting in the shoot out tonight.

His mother Adenike, a committed Christian, was seen with her hands clasped as if in prayer as he stepped up to take his kick.

Saka tweeted: ‘Last time we had a penalty shootout at the Euros, we know what happened.

‘I used it to make me stronger. Today I took the chance. So I’m happy. I’m so proud of everyone that we got over the line.’

William watched the game from the stands with the likes of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti and former Portugal ace Luis Figo and later wrote a personally signed message to social media.

He posted: ‘Nail biting to the very end. Well done @England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W.’

Known for his passion for sport, William was on the edge of his seat during some parts of the game and was even spotted with his head in his hands at one point.

In a more joyous moment, he smiled as he high-fived a woman who was sat next to him.

Prince William, who has been vocal in his support for the Three Lions throughout the tournament, joined supporters in the stands earlier in June as the team faced down Denmark in Frankfurt.

England’s Euros journey will continue with a semi final against the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday night, with the Dutch also turning around a 1-0 deficit to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday night.

Read more
Prince William hugs England goal hero Bukayo Saka
Prince William hugs England goal hero Bukayo Saka © Provided by Daily Mail
Prince William hugged Bukayo Saka and congratulated him after England won against Switzerland last night
Prince William hugged Bukayo Saka and congratulated him after England won against Switzerland last night © Provided by Daily Mail
22-year-old Saka scored the equaliser in the 80th minute of the quarter-final game
22-year-old Saka scored the equaliser in the 80th minute of the quarter-final game © Provided by Daily Mail
Prince William, who is president of the FA, was pictured cheering with his fist in the air after the goal
Prince William, who is president of the FA, was pictured cheering with his fist in the air after the goal © Provided by Daily Mail
Wearing a navy suit and a football print tie, William congratulated Saka after the Three Lions won against their opponents to penalties after finishing 1-1
Wearing a navy suit and a football print tie, William congratulated Saka after the Three Lions won against their opponents to penalties after finishing 1-1 © Provided by Daily Mail
The Arsenal player scored in the tense shoot-out which saw England earn a place in the semi-finals
The Arsenal player scored in the tense shoot-out which saw England earn a place in the semi-finals © Provided by Daily Mail
Saka had suffered terrible online racial abuse after missing a penalty against Italy in the last final at the 2020 Euros and was overjoyed at netting in the shoot out tonight
Saka had suffered terrible online racial abuse after missing a penalty against Italy in the last final at the 2020 Euros and was overjoyed at netting in the shoot out tonight © Provided by Daily Mail
The Prince of Wales was also seen cheering and high-fiving a woman next to him in the stands
The Prince of Wales was also seen cheering and high-fiving a woman next to him in the stands © Provided by Daily Mail
Known for his passion for sport, William was on the edge of his seat during some parts of the game and was even spotted with his head in his hands at one point
Known for his passion for sport, William was on the edge of his seat during some parts of the game and was even spotted with his head in his hands at one point © Provided by Daily Mail
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