da dobrowin: The midfielder's thunderous bicycle kick rescued Gareth Southgate's job and dignity while the captain completed a frantic turnaround
da gbg bet: How do England keep getting away with it?! The Three Lions were on the verge of a truly shocking elimination from Euro 2024 to Slovakia, a side ranked 40 places below them in the world and who had never won a knockout game at a major tournament.
The outsiders would have deserved the victory too, Ivan Schranz capitalising on haphazard England defending to put Slovakia in front. England had no answer and had no shots on target until the game entered stoppage time.
But that was when Jude Bellingham remembered he is a Real Madrid star and Ballon d'Or contender, as h saved England with a thumping overhead-kick in the 95th minute. England's tails were then up, and in the first minute of extra-time, Harry Kane – who had produced another abject display – nudged the ragged Three Lions in front.
England reverted to their usual timid selves thereafter, but it was enough to see off Slovakia and book themselves a quarter-final tie with Switzerland. But they will know they will be heading home on Saturday unless things improve as they are running out of lives.
GOAL rates England's players from the Veltins Arena..
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Jordan Pickford (5/10):
Could do nothing about the Slovakia goal and showed leadership in extra-time, taking crosses confidently.
Kyle Walker (5/10):
Huge drop down from his usual level, being caught in Slovakia's pressing trap twice and being too slow to shut down Schranz. But made up for it with his lethal long throw to set up Bellingham and defended well in extra-time.
Marc Guehi (5/10):
Made a bad start by getting booked (and suspended for the quarters). Beaten in the air before Slovakia's goal but kept his head and his flick-on helped Bellingham equalise.
John Stones (4/10):
Slow and sloppy, almost punished when he gifted the ball to Strelec by the halfway line. Also poor for the goal.
Kieran Trippier (4/10):
Unconvincing again. A bad early pass put Guehi in trouble, while he later skied a decent scoring chance. Taken off injured in second half.
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Declan Rice (4/10):
Not brave enough with the ball. Came close to equalising with a thumping effort off the post.
Kobbie Mainoo (7/10):
The only player to play with courage on the ball. Taken off before full-time despite being England's best performer at the time.
Jude Bellingham (5/10):
Put in some wild tackles and looked to have lost his nerve. Went missing for long periods until he remembered he plays for Real Madrid and conjured his stonking overhead-kick.
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Bukayo Saka (5/10):
A few positive moments but got little support. Shifted to left-back then right wing-back as England chased the game.
Harry Kane (4/10):
For 90 minutes he had no impact on the play and wasted his few chances. But he got an ally when Toney came on and finished the job.
Phil Foden (6/10):
One of England's better players but unwisely ran offside, ruling out his goal. Taken off while England were on their way out.
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Cole Palmer (5/10):
Added more purpose to England's attack although he didn't have a huge impact.
Eberechi Eze (6/10):
Did well at wing-back in extra-time before returning to midfield.
Ivan Toney (6/10):
Added an element of chaos which made the difference. Set up Kane's goal and his hold-up play helped England get over the line.
Conor Gallagher (5/10):
Gave England fresh legs in extra-time.
Ezri Konsa (5/10):
Became England's fourth left-back. Did what was required to see the game out.
Gareth Southgate (4/10):
Risked ruining his legacy with another stale gameplan and took too long to make changes. His subs made the difference in the end, but he is surely on his last life.