Jadon Sancho sent England penalty hero Bukayo Saka a heartfelt message after his Player of the Match performance against Switzerland.
The Arsenal star scored a brilliant equaliser for the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 quarter-final tie before tucking away his spot-kick in the shootout.
It helped Garerth Southgate’s side reach the semi-finals again where they will face Netherlands.
The winner of that tie will then take on either Spain or France in the European Championship final.
Saka’s strike from the penalty spot will have banished some demons for the 22-year-old.
He, along with Sancho and Marcus Rashford missed penalties when England lost the the Euro 2020 final at Wembley to Italy.
The trio all suffered racist abuse after the match ending a stunning tournament on a sour note.
They also faced some taunts from rival fans in the Premier League who suggested they had ‘let their country down’, despite putting in inspiring displays.
Sancho and Rashford weren’t selected in Southgate’s squad for this tournament in Germany.
However, after watching Saka have a fine display, and net his penalty, Sancho sent his friend a heartfelt message.
“I’m so proud of this guy!” he posted on Instagram with a picture of Saka holding the Player of the Match trophy.
“You did it for me and Marcus brother,” he added.
Manager Southgate was also quick to praise Saka for his courage three years on.
“I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch,” he said. “He’s a special boy, he’s a dream to work with, wonderful family.
“Of course pleased for everybody but for him especially when his went in. That takes courage but we have belief in him. We had belief in him previously.
“He’s now got a lot more experience of those pressure moments and his all-round performance was exceptional.”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand also took great delight in the shootout victory given what had happened to Saka, Sancho, and Rashford in the aftermath.
On Sunday morning, he posted to X: “Where are the racists now???? Probably still celebrating!!!!”
This came with a split image of all five of England’s penalty scorers, who all have black heritage.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all netted to send the Three Lions into the last-four.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
