JUDE Bellingham and Harry Kane emerged as the heroes for England tonight as they came from the brink of defeat to beat Slovakia 2-1 in Gelsenkirchen and advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 European Championship in Germany.
Slovakia looked to be heading for a huge upset victory but a last-gasp equaliser and an early strike in extra-time turned the contest around for the Three Lions.
Slovakia were the much brighter, more composed side in the first half and they were deservedly rewarded for their endeavour when they took the lead in the 25th minute.
Ivan Schranz finished off a fine Slovakia move, receiving a reverse ball from David Strelec to slide past Jordan Pickford despite the desperate attentions of Marc Guehi.
England were outplayed at that point and the rest of the half was not better for Gareth Southgate’s side as they laboured to create any openings of note.
The Euro 2024 runners-up did look rejuvenated at the start of the second half and had the ball in the net five minutes in through Phil Foden, but it was ruled offside after a VAR review, and England lost steam again.
Southgate shifted Bukayo Saka to left-back and brought on forward Cole Palmer for full-back Kieran Trippier with 25 minutes left as the England manager became increasingly desperate.
The changes had little impact and Southgate made more, with Eberechi Eze and Ivan Toney coming on as full-time neared.
When the breakthrough came it was however players who started the match that combined to get England level, with Guehi heading the ball towards Bellingham, who produced a glorious scissor kick to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
England completed the turnaround in the first minute of extra-time as Toney’s headed assist was nodded home by Kane.
England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Duesseldorf on Saturday.
