England staged a thrilling late comeback to defeat Slovakia 2-1 and advance to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were the heroes, scoring in the dying moments to turn the game around.
Match Recap:
- Slovakia’s Early Lead: Ivan Schranz put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute after a well-executed play from David Strelec. Slovakia almost doubled their lead in the second half with Strelec’s ambitious 50-yard shot, which narrowly missed.
- England’s Struggle: England seemed out of ideas and close to elimination, especially after Phil Foden’s offside goal and near misses from Kane and Rice. Fans’ frustration grew as Slovakia’s defense held strong.
- Bellingham’s Heroics: In the 95th minute, Jude Bellingham scored a spectacular overhead kick, saving England from defeat and sending the game into extra time.
- Kane’s Winner: Just a minute into extra time, Harry Kane headed in the winning goal after a flick from Ivan Toney, securing England’s place in the quarterfinals against Switzerland.
Key Points:
- Southgate’s 100th Game: England manager Gareth Southgate narrowly avoided a repeat of the 2016 Iceland defeat. His 100th game in charge will be the quarterfinal against Switzerland.
- Team Performance: Despite individual brilliance, England struggled to function as a cohesive unit. A reassessment of tactics and performance is crucial before facing a strong Swiss team.
- Player of the Match: Jude Bellingham, who celebrated his 21st birthday, was the standout player with his energy, effectiveness, and game-saving goal.
England will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Düsseldorf on July 6. The team needs to improve significantly to overcome the Swiss, who have shown formidable form in the tournament.
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