England in dramatic extra-time win over Slovakia. Jude Bellingham had a few words during the wild goal celebration, and a good point. It just had to be Bellingham, England’s golden boy, saving the team. The nation and certainly Gareth Southgate with comic brilliance just when all seemed lost.The scoreboard went up to show six extra minutes at the end of the 90th. England trailing to Ivan Schranz’s Slovakia goal midway through the first half and cheers were written. Hell, they were written.
It was a largely dreadful performance from Southgate’s side, with much of what they brought in the group stages of that tournament. But when Marc Guéhi tipped over Kyle Walker’s long throw with half-time almost over. Bellingham found space in front of the penalty spot and headed home. The technique was excellent. England had stoppage time and a historic moment, such a critical goal so late in the knockout game. When the chips are down, it was England’s way of falling. Not here and they turned the screw early in overtime.Harry Kane worked as hard as any England player; he still doesn’t seem to be in top form.
England initially felt the hammer
But when two Southgate substitutes led by Ivan Toney combined with Eberech Eze across the six-yard box, Kane headed home. Southgate will make his 100th appearance as England manager when his side face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. It was emotional. Has England finally found something to wake them up?The story based on the two countries’ only previous tournament, a 0-0 draw in the final group stage tie at Euro 2016 that saw Wales top England. It meant a tougher draw for Roy Hodgson’s side in the last 16, but Iceland came out on top. Which would be good, right? On a small level, Slovakia helped usher in the Southgate era. Bellingham made sure that continued, at least for the second game.England initially felt the hammer of nerves. England in dramatic extra-time win over Slovakia, Everything was so loose from them, mistakes on the ball.
Even referee Halil Umut Meler looked exasperated and showed early yellow cards, including one to Guéh – his second of the tournament, which means he will be banned in Switzerland. Kieran Trippier ran over Gué and had to jump onto David Strelec; it was something Trippier set the tone for England’s departure.. Read also…
