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England fans celebrate Jude Bellingham equaliser
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane dragged England back from the brink as they came from behind to beat Slovakia and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate's men were dreadful for the vast majority of proceedings but left it late to break Slovakian hearts and set up a last-eight date with Switzerland.
Slovakia got off to the better start and deservedly took the lead in the 25th minute when Ivan Schranz fired low past Jordan Pickford to open the scoring. England were toothless at both ends of the pitch and did not register a shot on target until the dying seconds of the match, when it all changed for the better.
An incredible bicycle kick from Bellingham saved their blushes in dramatic fashion, giving the Three Lions a lifeline in the form of 30 extra minutes. They wasted little time in turning the match on its head, with Harry Kane heading home just 52 seconds after the restart to complete one of England's greatest comebacks.
Gareth Southgate admits he nearly took Jude Bellingham off
Gareth Southgate has admitted that he was close to taking Jude Bellingham off just before his incredible equaliser for England against Slovakia.
Speaking in his post-match interview, the England boss said: "We were thinking we should take him off, but you know he is capable of those sorts of moments.
"We know in the game itself we needed to better with the ball. We couldn’t find the right solutions in the first half and we did it better in the second.
"Under that pressure they kept probing. In the end it is the old fashioned long throw that gets the goal, those moments can happen when you keep wearing a team down.
"I'm so proud of the players and the spirit the lads showed. Everybody we put into the game played a part and helped us get over the line.
"They are all pushing and helping each other and tonight, that made the difference."
Gary Neville urges Gareth Southgate to make changes
Gary Neville believes it is 'unrealistic' to expect England to win the Euros unless Gareth Southgate makes some drastic tactical changes.
"I think everybody in the country has been crying out for more changes after every single match, from game one, two, three," says Neville on ITV.
"I think the same clamour will happen again for Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, for other players to come into the team to create more balance, more excitement.
"Getting over the line and winning is all important in a month-long tournament.
"But to think you can go through a month-long tournament playing like we are doing and get through to the end, I think, is unrealistic."
Gareth Southgate's blushes were saved by two moments of brilliance (Image: GETTY)
"I know the lads will talk about performances but at this level it is about getting over the line and winning," says ITV pundit Roy Keane.
"Everyone wants a great performance but if they keep getting results and going through... The next game always seems tough. If you perform like that you're going to go out but let's see how they go.
"You have to give them praise. We were obviously really critical at half-time but they found a way to win. The top players found a way.
"God help us when Bellingham starts playing well because he's produced two huge moments and they're getting over the line. You have to give credit where it's due.
"They've found a way, you have to give credit for that. Some of the greatest satisfaction I've had in my career has been when you don't play well but you win a game of football."
And here's the moment Harry Kane turned the match on its head...
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? \ud83d\ude31
Harry Kane puts England in the lead at the beginning of extra time \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f#Euro2024 | #ENGSVKpic.twitter.com/knUPc2gabI
In case you haven't seen it yet, here's a look at Jude Bellingham's incredible equaliser in the dying seconds of normal time...
UNBELIEVABLE \ud83e\udd29
Jude Bellingham pulls out an overhead kick to save England in the dying moments \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f#EURO2024 | #ENGSVKpic.twitter.com/px4qLzJQoq
Jude Bellingham dances into the area and forces an England corner, with his low cross deflected away from danger.
The corner is put behind by the head of a Slovakia defender before the referee blows up for a free-kick, with England players throwing their weight around in the box.
Joe Hart does not expect Gareth Southgate to be forced into a late change between the sticks.
"Occupational hazard," he tells BBC Radio 5 Live. "I saw it, he'll be fine.
"He made a low save and he looked like he just got his little finger caught in the ground. You fear the worst straight away but it's nothing to be worried about.
"He'll be absolutely fine."
Jordan Pickford suffered an injury scare in the warm-ups (Image: GETTY)
Jordan Pickford has just marched off the pitch clutching his left arm in a potentially worrying sign for England.
He appeared to hurt his hand during the warm-ups before whipping off his gloves and looking in a bit of discomfort.
There is no suggestion that Pickford will be unable to start, though. He will be determined to play through the pain as England seek a place in the last eight.
He was given a big hug by team-mate Aaron Ramsdale before going back down the tunnel.
Gareth Southgate has explained why he has only made one change to his England line-up against Slovakia.
"I think those players over a period of time have proved to be the best," he tells ITV Sport.
"We showed signs the attacking play was coming together, but we have good players on the bench able to change things."
On his decision to bring Kobbie Mainoo into midfield, Southgate says: "He uses the ball really well and we know that is the way he plays. It will help us get through their high pressure.
"He has played some huge games already for his club, he looks at ease in our environment. When he came into the game the other night you can see the impact he can have."
Gareth Southgate is keeping the faith with his established stars (Image: GETTY)
Gareth Southgate's substitutions could prove imperative here, particularly given there are several players knocking on his door for a start.
I would expect to see Cole Palmer as the first attacking substitute tonight. I think he has done enough to constitute that following his eye-catching cameo off the bench against Slovenia.
If Bukayo Saka was not two-time England Player of the Year, he would probably start.
It's also tough on Jarrod Bowen, who was great from the bench in this stadium against Serbia when he came off the bench and ran at his full-back. He remains another great option.
Kobbie Mainoo rightly starts but we need to see more from England tonight. They need to up the tempo and look to create chances from the get-go.
Luke Shaw has been named among the England substitutes for today's game.
It will be interesting to see if he comes off the bench after missing all of England's group stage matches.
Gareth Southgate confirmed earlier this week that Shaw could play his first minutes at the Euros against Slovakia.
He said: "Luke won't be available to start, but we’ll have a chat with the medical team to see whether he can play a part or whether he could do with a little bit more training first."
Luke Shaw is on the bench for England this evening (Image: GETTY)
Darren Anderton believes England's problems lie in their lack of attacking movement, with the Three Lions yet to hit their stride in the final third.
"It’s the movement, honestly it’s like watching walking football most of the time when we get in the final third," he told Bojoko.
"Much like everyone, I’m a bit underwhelmed. The substitutes are the ones playing without fear. [Jude] Bellingham and [Bukayo] Saka are playing with fear."
Gareth Southgate is desperate for his England team to show they have improved since the group stages.
They finished at the top of Group C but were nowhere near their best, stumbling over the line against Serbia before being held to draws by Denmark and Slovenia.
Speaking in yesterday's press conference, Southgate said: "The fact is you go into a different mental state [in the knockout stage]. Everybody knows that knockout football is jeopardy.
"Everybody knows that on a given day, an opponent can make it really tough for you. You know the quality of the opposition left is high and so it changes the mindset. We are trying to achieve something exceptional.
"It is a step at a time and tomorrow is a chance to improve aspects of our game, to show composure in moments. The game will take us in different directions at different moments and you've got to be able to respond and react in the right way in all of those moments.
"We have thrived in those challenges in the past and we're looking forward to tomorrow."
Gareth Southgate is widely expected to make just one change to his England side this evening.
Kobbie Mainoo is likely to replace Conor Gallagher in midfield to mark his first international start at a major tournament.
Jordan Pickford will be in goal for England, with a centre-back pairing of John Stones and Marc Guehi ahead of him.
Kyle Walker is set to feature at right-back, while Kieran Trippier will be on the left with Luke Shaw not yet fit enough to start.
Mainoo will be partnered in midfield by Declan Rice with Jude Bellingham playing in a more advanced role behind Harry Kane, who will start as the lone striker.
Bukayo Saka will occupy the right wing for England while Phil Foden is expected to play on the left.
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to start in midfield against Slovakia (Image: GETTY)
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