Akanji: "I won't be taking any more penalties, it was a disaster"

Switzerland's national team defender, Manuel Akanji, who missed a penalty in the shootout against Colombia despite his team ultimately winning, has vowed never to take another spot-kick. This marks the Inter player's third consecutive penalty miss in a major tournament, with the previous two leading to his team's elimination from European Championships – in 2021 against Spain and in 2024 against England.

"I won't be taking any more penalties; it was a disaster. I changed my mind at the last moment. I saw that the goalkeeper had already dived to his left twice, I hesitated, and then the ball went four meters over the crossbar," he told Swiss television. "I am incredibly proud of the team and how they reacted. Everyone else calmly converted their penalties," he added.