England’s Euro 2024 campaign nearly took a disastrous turn before a moment of brilliance from Jude Bellingham and a captain’s finish from Harry Kane secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the round of 16.
The Three Lions were on the brink of a humiliating exit at the Gelsenkirchen stadium. Slovakia, well-drilled and defensively resolute, took the lead in the 25th minute through Ivan Schranz, who capitalized on a lapse in England’s defence.
England’s response was far from convincing. They struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their first shot on target coming in the form of Bellingham’s spectacular equalizer. Even established stars like Kane missed relatively simple opportunities. The frustration grew among fans, who witnessed a performance riddled with Southgate’s characteristic tactical conservatism and a lack of attacking inspiration.
However, just when all hope seemed lost, Bellingham stepped up to the plate (or rather, above the pitch). Celebrating his 21st birthday just the day before, the young midfielder produced a moment of pure genius. Rising majestically in the penalty area, he connected with a headed flick from Marc Guehi with a stunning overhead kick, leaving Slovakia’s goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with no chance.
Bellingham’s audacious strike not only rescued England from potential elimination but also punctured Slovakia’s defensive resolve.
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The momentum shifted dramatically. Sensing their newfound vulnerability, England pressed forward with renewed purpose.
Their persistence paid off a minute into extra time when captain Harry Kane rose above the Slovakian defence to head home a cross from close range. This clinical finish completed a remarkable turnaround and sealed England’s passage to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland.
However, England’s victory came at a cost. Their performance left much to be desired. Their display against Slovakia was arguably their worst of the tournament so far. They were defensively shaky and lacked attacking coherence, and Southgate’s tactics once again raised eyebrows. The introduction of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in the second half added some much-needed dynamism to England’s attack, further highlighting questions about Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup.
The win against Slovakia was a heart-stopping affair, and England will need to improve drastically if they are to have any chance against a well-organized Switzerland team. The absence of Marc Guehi, who received a second yellow card, adds another layer of concern for Southgate’s defensive setup.
Despite the unconvincing display, England cling on. Bellingham’s wonder goal provided a spark, while Kane delivered a captain’s performance. But Southgate and his players have a lot of soul-searching to do if they want to extend their Euro 2024 journey beyond the quarter-finals.
