England reached a semi-final for the third time in four major tournaments under Gareth Southgate after a penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland at Euro 2024 on Saturday.
Manuel Akanji saw the crucial effort saved by Jordan Pickford after some delaying tactics by the goalkeeper as the English belied their bad penalty record to prevail 5-3 on spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw.
England had previously won only two penalty shoot-outs out of nine at major events.
"We knew it was going to be tight. Whatever it takes and no matter what, we win - that is all that matters to us," substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold, who scored the last penalty, told the BBC.
"It's what we have practised. All five penalties from us were great."
Breel Embolo had given the Swiss the lead on 75 minutes but Bukayo Saka hit back in style for England five minutes later with two of only three shots on goal in normal time.
The Swiss had the better chances in extra time, with the first three last-eight clashes in Germany now having needed 30 minutes more.
England will face Turkey or the Netherlands in Wednesday's semi.
England coach celebrates 100th game in charge
Southgate is the third man to reach 100 games as England coach as they reached the last eight for the fourth straight tournament under him, having only reached this stage once in the four previous events.
Now they are into another semi-final after making the last four at the 2018 World Cup and losing the Euros final on home soil to Italy three years ago on penalties.
A World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in 2022 looked a downward trend but the Three Lions have won through here despite playing far worse during this tournament than they did in Qatar.
Saka, who missed in the shoot-out against Italy at Euro 2020 but scored in the Dusseldorf penalties, said: "Last time we took at penalty shoot-out at the Euros we know what happened. I believed."
On his first Euro goal, he added: "I felt like we dominated the whole game and the chance would come and I took it - I'm proud of myself."
The Swiss were bidding to reach a men's major tournament semi-final for the first time and arguably had the better opportunities. Coach Murat Yakin's contract is now up and his future is uncertain.
Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri said: "It was a great game. Penalties are 50/50 and England had better nerves than us."
Change of system for England
England brought in defender Ezri Konsa for the suspended Marc Guehi but switched systems to three at the back to match the Swiss and after their lacklustre showings so far.
But right-footed Kieran Trippier still started on the left flank, a big bugbear with England fans given his lack of left-foot quality.
Yakin made no change to his line-up for the first time at Euro 2024.
A loud atmosphere greeted the teams and Switzerland responded early by pressing England well, while the Three Lions pressed better than in previous games but initially struggled to breach the lines.
A laboured England needed a late wonder goal from Jude Bellingham to avoid a last-16 exit against Slovakia and go on to win in extra time.
The change in formation against the Swiss improved their play as the first half wore on, without creating clear-cut chances.
Saka did find space on the right but his final ball was missing.
The Swiss, who convincing beat holders Italy last up, also looked occasionally threatening, with Granit Xhaka pulling the strings.
Swiss the better side in second half and extra time
Embolo tested Pickford with the first shot on target early in the second half but opportunities were again at a premium, with England especially going off the boil like so often in Germany.
And it was Embolo who prodded home at the far post midway through the second half when Dan Ndoye's low cross deflected into his path.
Southgate responded by throwing on left back Luke Shaw for his first appearance after injury along with Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze.
Almost immediately, Saka found the far corner after cutting inside and unleashing a fine strike with his left from the edge of the area.
Extra time ensued and Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer saved from a Declan Rice piledriver and a Bellingham effort.
England captain Harry Kane, who has not looked fully fit all tournament, collided with the dugout late on in extra time and was replaced by penalty specialist Ivan Toney.
But they showed no urgency to avoid another possibly painful shoot-out, while the Swiss threw on Shaqiri, who hit the woodwork from a corner, and Zeki Amdouni, who worried Pickford.
Kane, who missed a normal-time penalty in the last-eight Qatar defeat to France, looked nervous watching the shoot-out from the bench but instead they scored five out of five with a series of cool kicks.
Akanji, who plays in England with champions Manchester City, went first for the Swiss but Pickford saved his weak effort having spent an age getting to his line to psyche out the defender.
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