Euros football 2024, England beats Slovakia thanks to late Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane goals

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 36 Second

Jude Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick with only seconds left to help England avoid one of the most shocking defeats in the history of the European Championship.

The midfielder’s acrobatic strike in the fifth minute of stoppage time levelled the round-of-16 game against Slovakia at 1-1.

Harry Kane struck again in the first minute of extra time at the Veltins Arena to secure a 2-1 comeback win and a place in the quarter-finals where England will play Switzerland in Duesseldorf on Sunday.

THE MOLE: Bunnies backflip as Bennett renews interest in rival star

READ MORE: Roosters injury crisis deepens with star’s awful injury

READ MORE: Stuart accuses refs of ‘guessing’ after latest loss

“I think it was 20 seconds until we were out of the European Championship,” Bellingham said.

‘“It’s hard to deny that it was one of the most important moments of my career so far.”

For so long it looked like being one of the most humbling defeats England had ever suffered — bringing back memories of its elimination at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 — as one of the pre-tournament favorites trailed Ivan Schranz’s 25th-minute goal for 45th-ranked Slovakia.

Jude Bellingham of England celebrating his goal to make it 1-1 against Slovakia.

Jude Bellingham of England celebrating his goal to make it 1-1 against Slovakia. Getty

Boos rang around the stadium in the first half as frustration grew among fans.

England needed to improve in the second half. Phil Foden had a goal ruled out by VAR, Kane headed wide from close range and Declan Rice hit the post in the 81st.

With seconds remaining on the clock, Bellingham’s moment of inspiration came.

Kyle Walker launched a long throw from the right and Marc Guehi leapt to flick the ball on.

It was behind Bellingham in the middle of the box, but in a flash he readjusted his body and executed a perfect overhead kick, sending the ball in to the bottom corner to leave Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka rooted on his line as he watched it nestle into the back of the net.

“I had a funny feeling the game wasn’t dead and I know that sounds ridiculous. We were pushing and probing,” England manager Gareth Southgate said. “Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal.”

Jude Bellingham of England celebrating his goal to make it 1-1 against Slovakia.

Jude Bellingham of England celebrating his goal to make it 1-1 against Slovakia. Getty

Bellingham’s goal was England’s first shot on target in the match.

It didn’t have to wait long for its second as Kane headed home to score his seventh goal in his last seven knockout games at major tournaments. It was also a record-extending 65th for his country.

England – ranked fifth in the world – hasn’t won a major tournament since its only triumph at the World Cup in 1966.

“We haven’t come to get to a quarter-final, but to get through a night like tonight was fantastic character and we now play a Swiss team that have been very good,” Southgate said. “We have a couple of days to recover and get ready for them.”

Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %
Previous post I discovered trail angels are real and a source of incredible kindness on a cross-continental trek
Next post World Cup of Darts: Luke Humphries and Michael Smith’s England defeat Austria in final | Darts News