Jude Bellingham salvaged England from an untimely exit in Euro 2024 against Slovakia with a breathtaking 95th-minute equalizer, setting the stage for Harry Kane’s early extra-time winner. This dramatic 2-1 victory propelled the underperforming pre-tournament favorites into the quarterfinals.
Slovakia began the match with much more intensity, issuing several warnings before Ivan Schranz elegantly finished past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 25th minute.
England, who are set to face Switzerland next, had a history of coming back to win their last three Euro matches after conceding first, including the previous tournament’s semifinal. They thought they had equalized shortly after halftime, but Phil Foden was clearly offside before scoring.
Kane, uncharacteristically, missed a header from a Foden free kick, and Declan Rice’s shot hit the post as Slovakia found themselves pinned in their own half. Despite this pressure, England appeared to lack confidence, frustrating their supporters.
However, Bellingham, just a day after his 21st birthday, delivered a phenomenal bicycle kick to equalize in the dying moments, marking England’s first shot on target and taking the match into extra time.
England wasted no time after the restart, with Kane heading past the despairing Martin Dúbravka from close range, completing a remarkable comeback.
As the game wore on, Slovakia’s energy waned, and their best chance for an equalizer came just before the extra-time break when Peter Pekarík missed a dangerous cross.
England withstood a late barrage of attacks to secure a fortunate victory and set up a quarterfinal showdown with Switzerland in Duesseldorf on July 6.
However, they will need to significantly improve their performance against the Swiss, who outplayed defending champions Italy in the last 16 and were unlucky to concede a late equalizer against Germany in the group stage.
