Manchester United defender Luke Shaw showed a touch of class as he opted against joining in with his team-mates to celebrate their penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland, instead going immediately over to his Swiss opponents to shake their hands.
Shaw, a second-half substitute, did not take a spot-kick but watched as Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all scored from 12 yards, after Jordan Pickford saved the Swiss’ first effort from Manuel Akanji.
And while the vast majority of the England squad raced away to join in with Alexander-Arnold as he sprinted towards the Three Lions faithful, Shaw helped his commiserating rivals and highlighted his utmost respect for Granit Xhaka and co.
The emotional Swiss broke down in tears as they were eliminated from the competition but Shaw was the only player who opted against celebrating, but instead shook the hands of every Swiss player he could.
The United left-back was brought onto the pitch on 78 minutes shortly after Breel Embolo had given Switzerland the lead at the far post.
However, just moments later Saka equalised by burying a low effort from the edge of the box past Yann Sommer, sending the game to extra-time.
Captain Harry Kane was taken off during the additional 30 minutes after falling into the advertisement boards and picking up a thigh injury, but another expert spot-kick taker in Toney replaced him and found the back of the net without even looking at the ball during his run-up.
The Brentford talisman scored before Alexander-Arnold scored the winner, who hailed all five takers in his post-match interview. “It is what we have practiced,” he said. “When the gaffer said I was taking one, I enjoy it and I practice it – I knew I had to just execute it. All five penalties from us were great.”
“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.”
