Jude Bellingham produced a moment of genius to keep England in Euro 2024 as they survived another desperate display and a huge scare to beat Slovakia in dramatic fashion to reach the last eight.
England were seconds away from an embarrassing exit in Gelsenkirchen, trailing 1-0 after Ivan Schranz scored in the 25th minute.
Bellingham, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday, demonstrated his brilliance by scoring a stunning overhead kick in the final moments, sending Marc Guehi’s headed flick past Martin Dubravka.
This goal, their first effort on target, rescued England from a performance that had been lackluster and set the stage for a remarkable turnaround.
Captain Harry Kane emphasized England’s sudden superiority a minute into extra time with a close-range header, completing the comeback and setting up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland.
Before Bellingham’s wonder goal, England’s display was mediocre, with missed chances from Kane and Declan Rice. Bellingham, who had faced scrutiny for his previous performances, proved his superstar status with his audacious goal.
The victory, though hard-fought and perhaps undeserved, keeps England’s Euro 2024 journey alive. Southgate and his team have much to ponder before facing Switzerland, especially with the absence of defender Marc Guehi due to suspension. Despite the win, England’s performance left much to be desired, raising questions about their prospects against a strong Swiss side.
