England duo have same three-word reply as Trent Alexander-Arnold sends Southgate reminder

Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice both wrote the same three-word response to Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool star put England into the Euro 2024 semi-final. The right-back’s penalty clinched a shootout victory for the Three Lions against Switzerland on Saturday evening.

England were perfect from the spot and banished their demons from the Euro 2020 defeat against Italy. They now face the Netherlands for a place in the final in Berlin next weekend.

Alexander-Arnold scored the winning spot-kick after Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney all converted. The Liverpool star posted a picture of his celebration to Instagram after the match.

“Pressure makes diamonds,” Alexander-Arnold wrote in a potential reminder to Gareth Southgate that he is ready to step up when needed.

Henderson, who failed to make the Euro 2024 squad, and midfielder Rice both commented: “Never in doubt.”

Alexander-Arnold started the tournament in midfield but has been a substitute for England’s last three matches. The 25-year-old was selected to take a penalty by Southgate after he was introduced from the bench.

He has told Southgate that he is ready to step up when required.

“It is what we have practiced. When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it – I knew I had to just execute it,” Alexander-Arnold said afterwards. “All five penalties from us were great.”

He added: “Incredible, these are the goals that we set for ourselves. Difficult opponent going behind and the team showed a lot of character, belief, heart and spirit out there.

“We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what we win – that is all that matters to us.”

England were forced to come from behind in Dusseldorf after Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead. Arsenal winger Saka equalised moments later with a superb strike after cutting inside from the right.

Saka, who missed the crucial penalty against Italy three years ago, calmly rolled home his penalty. Jadon Sancho, who alongside Marcus Rashford also missed against the Italians in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat, wrote on Instagram: “I’m so proud of this guy! You did it for me and Marcus, brother.”

“I think for me it’s something I embrace,” Saka reflected on taking penalties for England.

“You can fail once but you have a choice whether you put yourself in that position again or not. I’m a guy who is going to put myself in that position. I believed in myself. When I saw the ball hit the net, I was a very happy man.”