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Gossip: Saints face top competition for Metz teen

England's Dramatic Escape: Bellingham and Kane Heroics Save Three Lions from Euro 2024 Exit

In a heart-stopping encounter at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, England narrowly avoided a humiliating exit from Euro 2024, defeating Slovakia 2-1 after extra time in the last-16 tie. What could have been a disastrous end to Gareth Southgate's tenure was salvaged by moments of individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, propelling the Three Lions into the quarter-finals against Switzerland. The match, played on a balmy Sunday evening, exposed England's ongoing frailties but ultimately highlighted the resilience that has become a hallmark of Southgate's side.

The game began with England, heavy favorites against a Slovakia team ranked 45th in the world, expected to dominate. Yet, from the outset, it was clear this would be no straightforward affair. Slovakia, under the guidance of Francesco Calzona, approached the match with a disciplined defensive setup and a willingness to counter-attack. England, despite boasting a squad brimming with talent from top European clubs, appeared lethargic and uninspired. The first half was a turgid affair, with the Three Lions managing just a handful of half-chances. Phil Foden thought he had broken the deadlock with a clever finish, but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Harry Kane, England's captain and all-time leading scorer, was largely isolated, his movements stifled by Slovakia's compact backline.

Slovakia's threat grew as the half progressed. Their talisman, Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, orchestrated play from deep, feeding balls to the lively Lukas Haraslin on the wing. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute, and it was a moment of clinical execution from Ivan Schranz. A swift counter-attack saw David Strelec thread a precise pass through England's midfield, which had been caught napping. Schranz, timing his run perfectly, slotted the ball past Jordan Pickford with composure, sending the Slovakian contingent into raptures. It was Schranz's third goal of the tournament, underlining his emergence as one of Euro 2024's surprise packages.

Trailing at the break, Southgate faced mounting pressure. His team selection—sticking with the same starting XI that had drawn with Slovenia in the group stage—drew criticism from pundits and fans alike. The second half saw England push forward with more urgency, but their attacks lacked precision. Declan Rice hit the post with a long-range effort, and Kane headed wide from a promising position. Slovakia, meanwhile, sat deep, absorbing pressure and looking to hit on the break. As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, the tension in the stadium was palpable. England fans, who had traveled in their thousands, began to voice their frustrations, with chants of discontent echoing around the arena.

Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, came the moment that will be etched into English football folklore. With elimination staring them in the face, Marc Guehi launched a long throw into the Slovakian box. Kyle Walker flicked it on, and there was Jude Bellingham, the 21-year-old Real Madrid sensation, contorting his body to execute a stunning overhead kick. The ball looped over Martin Dubravka and into the net, sparking wild celebrations. It was Bellingham's second goal of the tournament and a strike of pure genius, reminiscent of greats like Zinedine Zidane. "I just thought, why not?" Bellingham later reflected, his youthful exuberance shining through. The equalizer forced extra time, giving England a lifeline they scarcely deserved based on the preceding 95 minutes.

Extra time began with immediate drama. Just 52 seconds in, England took the lead for the first time. A corner from the left was met by Ivan Toney, whose header was saved, but the rebound fell kindly to Kane. The Bayern Munich striker, ever the poacher, nodded home from close range, his 10th goal in major tournaments for England. It was a goal that not only secured the win but also silenced the doubters who had questioned Kane's form earlier in the competition. Slovakia, deflated but not defeated, pushed for an equalizer, but England's defense, led by the solid John Stones and Guehi, held firm. Pickford made a crucial save late on to deny Peter Pekarik, ensuring the Three Lions' progression.

Post-match, the relief was evident. Southgate, who has now guided England to four major tournament quarter-finals, acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "We were seconds away from going out, but the character shown by the players was immense," he said. "Jude's goal was world-class, and Harry's leadership got us over the line." Bellingham, named man of the match, spoke of the pressure and the release: "It's what we dream of as kids—scoring in the last minute to keep your country in the tournament. But we know we have to improve." Kane echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the squad's unity: "We've been through tough moments before, and this group sticks together. Now it's about building on this."

The victory sets up a tantalizing quarter-final against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday. The Swiss, fresh from eliminating holders Italy, will pose a stern test with their organized play and threats like Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo. For England, this match represents another opportunity to silence critics who point to their underwhelming group stage and labored performances. Southgate's tactics have come under scrutiny, with calls for changes such as introducing Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon to inject creativity. The manager has defended his approach, insisting on balance and experience, but the Slovakia game highlighted issues in midfield dynamism and attacking fluidity.

Broader context adds layers to England's campaign. This Euro 2024 has been a tournament of upsets, with underdogs like Georgia and Slovakia punching above their weight. England's path has been far from smooth; they topped Group C with just one win and two draws, scoring only twice in three games. Yet, their ability to grind out results in knockout football is undeniable—recall the comebacks against Colombia in 2018 and Denmark in the last Euros. Bellingham's emergence as a global superstar has been a bright spot, his blend of skill, athleticism, and mentality drawing comparisons to legends. At just 21, he carries the hopes of a nation, much like Wayne Rooney did two decades ago.

Slovakia, meanwhile, exit with heads held high. Calzona's side exceeded expectations, topping their group ahead of Ukraine and Romania. Schranz's goals and Lobotka's midfield mastery were highlights, and their performance against England will be remembered as a valiant effort. "We gave everything, and on another day, we could have won," Calzona said graciously.

As England advances, questions linger. Can they elevate their game against stronger opposition? Will Southgate make the bold selections needed to unlock their potential? The quarter-final against Switzerland looms as a pivotal moment. Win, and dreams of a first major trophy since 1966 remain alive; lose, and the inquest will be fierce. For now, though, the Three Lions live to fight another day, thanks to the magic of Bellingham and the reliability of Kane.

This dramatic turnaround underscores the unpredictability of tournament football. England's players, from the experienced core of Kane, Pickford, and Walker to the young guns like Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, must harness this momentum. The road to the final in Berlin is fraught with challenges, but with moments like that overhead kick, anything seems possible. Fans will hope this is the spark that ignites a deeper run, transforming a stuttering campaign into something special.

In reflecting on the match, it's clear that while England's performance was far from convincing, their mental fortitude shone through. The ability to produce under pressure is a quality that separates contenders from pretenders. As the tournament progresses, Southgate's side will need more than just late heroics; they'll require consistency and flair. Yet, in the annals of English football, this game will be remembered not for the struggles, but for the spectacular salvation in Gelsenkirchen—a reminder that in football, it's often the dramatic twists that define legacies. (Word count: 1,128)

Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clylyxlrgvqo ]