“It was out of my hands”, Akanji says after penalty miss

Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji said he hoped to score but it was out of his hands after missing his penalty kick in the Swiss defeat to England.

England prevailed 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time to reach the semifinals of the 2024 European Championship.

Akanji, who plays club football for Manchester City, missed his kick – the only miss in the shootout.

Speaking to Omasports after the game, the 28-year-old said: “It was out of my hands, I tried to score but I didn’t. So I was hoping that somebody is going to miss or somebody is going to save one but it didn’t happen today, they shot really good penalties.”

England will face either Netherlands or Turkey for a place in the final.