Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer had the perfect words as England beat Switzerland on penalties on Saturday night.
It was shootout delight for the Three Lions, as England advanced to the semi finals of Euro 2024. They will now play Netherlands on Wednesday night, as Gareth Southgate goes in search of a second consecutive Euros final.
England needed penalties to get through on Saturday, which has so often been the undoing of the national team.
But that was not the case at the weekend, with all five of England’s penalty takers finding the back of the net. They stepped up with supreme confidence, while Jordan Pickford ensured that Switzerland did not hit five perfect spot kicks like England.
‘Pressure is for tyres’ as England advance on penalties
It was Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold who scored the decisive penalty, whipping his effort into the net to send the Swiss goalkeeper the wrong way.
His strike was met with wild celebrations, while Alan Shearer produced a moment on commentary that will be remembered for a very long time.
Speaking on BBC, Shearer said: “Pressure? What pressure! Pressure is for tyres. This is a different generation. They don’t feel it. How confident were they? They had the belief. They somehow found the energy to get themselves into the semi final.”
Newcastle United’s all-time leading scorer was then asked about his incredible bit of commentary on The Rest Is Football podcast, and admitted that it is not a new line.
“I’ve used it a few times,” he said.
“It just felt right. Pressure is for tyres.”
Newcastle fans have heard that line from Alan Shearer before
It was a brilliant bit of commentary from Shearer at a euphoric moment. Penalty shootouts are an awful experience, but the relief when they go your way is incredible. That is amplified in international football, as penalties have so often gone against England in the past.
The Three Lions have so often crumbled under the pressure, but not this group of players. As Shearer says, pressure is just for tyres in their eyes.
It was a clever line from the former Toon skipper, and one that Newcastle United fans have heard before.
When the Magpies came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in January 2019, they got the winner from the spot. It was Sheffield United target Matt Ritchie who converted from 12 yards, giving Rafa Benitez arguably his best win as Newcastle United manager.
Before Ritchie stepped up to score, Shearer produced some wise words during the Premier League’s coverage of the game. He preached ‘pressure is for tyres’ just moments before Ritchie found the back of the net, before letting out an almighty roar.
It was a great line more than four years ago, and it is even better in the summer of 2024. This time it was for England. This time it was a penalty shootout in a Euros quarter final.
Hopefully it is something England can live by on Wednesday, as Gareth Southgate’s men continue their quest to bring football home.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
