England are through to the 2024 European Championship quarter-final after an enthralling 2-1 victory over underdogs Slovakia.
Gareth Southgate’s England have been criticised throughout the tournament in Germany as the Three Lions certainly did not light up the tournament with more questions posed than answers with some of the team selection made by the former Middlesbrough boss.
However it was a moment of magic from Jude Bellingham that rescued the Three Lions before a Harry Kane header won the game for England.
Here are five things we learned from England’s victory over Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen.
Southgate’s disappointing tournament moments away from ending
Unlike the previous European Championships held in 2021, the good feelings heading into the tournament in Germany seemed to dissipate quickly.
A laboured 1-0 win over Serbia was followed by two disappointing draws against Denmark and Slovenia and Southgate’s men built up no momentum whatsoever.
It was yet another laboured performance from the Three Lions but Southgate’s blushes were spared by a moment of brilliance.
Kobbie Mainoo the best of a bad bunch
There has been much debate about Southgate’s midfield selections amid poor performances from Conor Gallagher and Trent-Alexander Arnold.
Kobbie Mainoo was given his first start at a major tournament and the Manchester United midfielder, once again, made a difference.
His driving runs in the second half caused Slovakia problems and the 19-year-old deserves praise and probably should have played more throughout the tournament. He should be in line to start the quarter-final.
Bellingham scores stunner to rescue Southgate
Apart from a brilliant diving header against Serbia in the opening game, Jude Bellingham had had a very disappointing tournament for the Three Lions.
Off the back of an impressive debut season for Real Madrid, big things were expected of the midfielder and it looked like his tournament would come to an end in disappointing fashion.
However, a true moment of inspiration from the midfielder rescued England as Bellingham scored a superb overhead kick that left Martin Dubravka with no chance.
Gordon’s role in the squad remains baffling despite victory
A pacey winger who likes to run in behind is something that, throughout this tournament, England have been crying out for.
However, in all four games at Euro 2024, Southgate has not opted to start Anthony Gordon at all and he remained a bystander for his country.
England’s football was played in front of the Slovakia defence who defended resolutely but certainly were not made to work for their lead by the Three Lions until late on.
Bringing on the Newcastle United winger might have offered something different for the Three Lions.
Five minute of madness rescues England
The inquest was looking set to begin as the clocked ticked into the fifth minute of added-time but Bellingham had different ideas.
That moment appeared to be the spark that England had craved as Harry Kane, after a brilliant assist from Ivan Toney, won the game.
Toney was brought on for Foden in the 91st minute and Brentford’s first ever representative for England at a European Championship was brilliant.
England looked disjointed and unsure of what to do, but for a brilliant, and eventually pivotal, five minutes it all seemed to click into place for the Three Lions.
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