England avoided a last-minute exit from the round of 16 of the European Football Championship. The “Three Lions” overcame a 1-0 deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday and finally achieved promotion 2-1 after extra time (1-1, 0-1). Two superstars have taken England into the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday (6pm).
Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane remained invisible in 90 minutes, but in the end they were the winners of the game. One day after his 21st birthday, Bellingham (90th + 5th) put Slovakia ahead through Ivan Schranz (25th) with a brilliant overhead kick Shortly after the start of extra time, Kane (91st) was there with a header. The English, who came with the most expensive squad in the tournament, could not convince again, but still had a chance to win their second major title after the 1966 World Cup title.
Team boss Gareth Soutgate, who came under heavy criticism after a poor performance in the group, continued to rely on his attacking stars and made only one change in defensive midfield by bringing in 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo .
England again disappointed with their performance
The playing style of the most valuable squad in the competition has not changed either. The English had plenty of possession, but before the break they were slow and error-prone in building the game and rarely embarrassed the close-knit Slovaks. Kieran Trippier’s direct shot well over goal (9th) was the most promising offensive move of the first half.
Coach Francesco Calzona’s team were more dangerous, repeatedly appearing in good position in front of England’s goal. It was not without reason that the Slovaks went ahead. After a pass from David Strelec, Schranz did not miss the opportunity and scored his third goal of the tournament (25th).
Shortly after the break the English celebrated, but too soon as Phil Foden was offside when he scored (50′). They were lucky in the 55th minute when, after a misunderstanding on the halfway line with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford well in front of the goal, Strelec’s long shot almost hit the target.
The “Three Lions” were now putting pressure on them gradually, but they were not able to break the Slovaks in a fun way. A superb free-kick from Foden, which Kane went wide from close range unchallenged (78′), and a long-range shot from Declan Rice which landed on the post (81′) were also unsuccessful. But two standard cases saved the English. After extra time and headers, Bellingham scored from the front with a header. And less than a minute after the restart, Kane headed in from a free kick.
With the upper hand, the English now acted more confidently. The Slovaks fought to the end for their first historic promotion to the quarter-finals and had a great chance through Peter Pekarik (105th), but failed to manage the comeback.