England had been 86 seconds clear of an embarrassing Euro 2024 advance till Jude Bellingham’s stunner impressed a 2-1 extra-time win over Slovakia within the endmost 16.
Bellingham, simplest 21 on Saturday, confirmed his talismanic constituent another time to haul England stage with their first shot on course within the ninety fifth little.
His great bicycle kick from an extended throw-in beat Martin Dubravka to prohibit out Ivan Schranz’s first-half opener and ship the fasten to extra-time.
Harry Kane nearest stepped up 50 seconds into the alternative half-hour to nod house Ivan Toney’s flick and provides England a victory which units up a quarter-final with Switzerland after Saturday – kick-off 5pm – which had seemed nearly unimaginable simplest moments previous.
However it would were so other.
The recriminations had been already starting on what seemed poised to turn out to be every other of England’s darkest nights the place they had been outplayed for lengthy classes through a staff ranked forty fifth on the earth.
They centred round Southgate’s obvious reluctance to persuade the status unfolding in entrance of him, along with his simplest substitution ahead of the 82nd little the advent of Cole Palmer upcoming Kieran Trippier was once compelled off with shock.
The drive were construction ever since Schranz fired Slovakia right into a first-half supremacy along with his 3rd purpose of the match. The Slavia Prague winger was once allowed to stride ahead from midfield week Marc Guehi to satisfy David Strelec’s ball into the field ahead of beating Jordan Pickford one-on-one.
England endured sleepwalking in opposition to the advance door when Bellingham’s needful cross was once intercepted through Strelec at the half-way layout, and Pickford may just simplest keep tabs on on in anguish as an enthusiastic try drifted week his unguarded a ways submit.
Southgate’s squad had come into the match boasting one of the global’s best possible attacking ability however once more seemed toothless in assault till the general mins.
They did in brief suppose that they had equalised in a while upcoming the crack when Phil Foden tapped in Trippier’s low go, however a VAR evaluation unexpectedly halted the celebrations appearing he was once very easily offside.
Kane was once to blame of losing a unprecedented straight forward alternative when he nodded Foden’s free-kick week the similar submit, day Declan Rice was once unpleasant to strike simplest the bottom of the submit with an magnificient 25-yard power.
In lieu it was once left to Bellingham to select up the items with seconds residue, ahead of Kane confirmed his personal captain’s constituent in extra-time to provide England – and Southgate – a reprieve for every other six days no less than.
In footage: Bellingham and Kane rescue England’s hopes
Harry Kane heads England in entrance towards Slovakia
Southgate: I by no means idea our match was once finishing
England supervisor Gareth Southgate on ITV Game:
“It’s strange, but I never felt like tonight would be the end of our tournament.
“Even with the lengthy throw [from Kyle Walker], you felt there was once hope. We will be able to reason some chaos and one thing may release. I didn’t suppose the end could be fairly what it was once!
“With 15 minutes to go, you’re thinking Jude is out on he’s feet and should we take him off and put fresh legs on.
“However you understand any such affect he may have on a recreation and the ones moments are why you persist with him at that day.
“The top players affect the big games in the moments when you need them. It’s that mentality that he has.”
Kane: Bellingham stored England’s match
England captain Harry Kane on ITV Game:
“That’s the desire and attitude of the boys and everyone involved.
“It seemed difficult for a 2nd there however you store going. We paintings on such a lot of main points right through the month, we installed an extended throw a few days in the past.
“We said ‘we might need it, be prepared for anything’, and Jude does what Jude does. What an unbelievable goal. It’s kept our tournament alive.
“All I will say is unbelievable assistance. I do know the enthusiasts again house would’ve loved that. What a win.
On Bellingham’s purpose: “One of the best in our country’s history, I reckon.
“What a participant he’s. He works so parched for the staff, there’s been a accumulation of speak about him over the endmost couple of days, however he’s confirmed what he can do.
“In the big moments, he’s stepped up and that’s what we need.”
Keane: Win solves not anything – however simplest effects depend
Sky Sports activities’ Roy Keane on ITV Game:
“It hasn’t really solved anything [the win]. You can talk about performances, but at this level it is about getting over the line and winning.
“Everybody needs a stunning efficiency, but when they store getting effects and going via… the after recreation can be difficult however let’s see how they walk.
“You have to give them praise as we were really critical at half-time but they found a way to win. The top players found a moment.
“God support us if Bellingham begins enjoying smartly. They’d two abundance moments and so they were given themselves over the layout. Credit score the place it’s due.”