England are set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after clinching a dramatic late 2-1 victory over Slovakia in extra-time on Sunday.
Ivan Schranz’s goal in the 25th minute appeared to be the final straw for the Three Lions, who had been tipped as favourites to end a 58-year wait for major tournament gold.
But Bellingham’s inspirational performance five minutes into extra time gave Gareth Southgate a fresh lease on life as England manager.
After that, Kane left the game just one minute into extra time, setting England a Saturday quarterfinal matchup with Switzerland.
“That’s the desire and the attitude from the boys. It looked tough for a second there but you keep going,” said Kane. “Jude does what Jude does and what an unbelievable goal.”
After stubbornly refusing to make any changes to a team that finished as victors of Group C despite scoring just two goals in three games, Southgate appeared certain to be dismissed.
In Southgate’s lone change, Kobbie Mainoo was brought on for his first competitive start, and he paid the price with another uninspired performance that lacked any quickness or creativity for extended periods of time.
“We want to be better,” said Southgate. “I’m not going to hide from that but the spirit and character was there for everybody to see and we’re still in there fighting.”
The one bright spot in England’s group stage performances was the resilient play of a makeshift defence, which allowed just one goal in three games.
But they lost badly to a 45th-ranked Slovakian team early on in the game.
A handful of warnings went unheeded by England since David Hancko and Lukas Haraslin wasted important chances.
When David Strelec was allowed plenty of space to turn and play in Schranz, who calmly stroked past Jordan Pickford for his third goal of the tournament, Slovakia finally exacted revenge on their more illustrious opponents.
There was a chorus of jeers as the halftime whistle went, but Southgate remained firm and made no changes until there were 25 minutes remaining.
After a terrible first half, England did at least turn things around, scoring within five minutes of the restart.
A VAR review revealed that Phil Foden had submitted Kieran Trippier’s cross but was offside.
Shortly later, Slovakia should have increased their lead when England gave up the ball and Strelec spotted Pickford well off his line but was unable to hit the target from halfway.
Trippier’s injury finally forced Southgate’s hand on minute sixty-six.
However, England continued to struggle with their creativity and appeared to be out of it when Declan Rice struck the post with a long-range pot shot and Kane headed wide a great opportunity.
Even the England supporters mocked Southgate for substituting Ivan Toney well into stoppage time, yelling, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
But there was a stunning twist: in the last seconds of added time, Bellingham performed acrobatics to turn home Guehi’s flick-on.
“It’s a feeling that is like no other,” said Bellingham.
“You’re 30 seconds from going home and having to listen to all the rubbish and feeling like you’ve let a nation of people down. In 30 seconds or one kick of the ball everything can change.”
Slovakia was taken aback abruptly, and Toney’s participation would be significant.
The Brentford forward headed a mishit attempt from Eberechi Eze back across goal, allowing Kane to score his second goal of the competition.
The game should have gone to penalties for Slovakia even though full-back Peter Pekarik missed a dangerous driven cross that was in close range.
But when England play an outstanding Switzerland in the quarterfinal on Saturday, who easily eliminated holders Italy 2-0, they will live to fight another day.
Photo by EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI
