Jude Bellingham’s Late Heroics Propel England to Euro 2024 Quarter-Finals.
Jude Bellingham became the youngest player to score for England in a European Championship knockout match with a stunning stoppage-time goal, as the Three Lions came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 and advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
After a series of lacklustre performances in the group stage, Gareth Southgate’s side was in dire need of a convincing display to rekindle hopes of securing their first major trophy in 58 years. However, England’s start against Slovakia was far from promising, with defensive vulnerabilities evident as Dávid Hancko and Lukáš Haraslín came close to scoring, the latter being thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from Marc Guéhi.
England eventually rallied, creating opportunities for Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo, but their critics grew louder when Francesco Calzona’s team took a deserved lead. David Strelec threaded a precise through ball to Ivan Schranz, who clinically finished with the outside of his right foot, marking his third goal of the tournament.
Despite failing to register a shot on target in the first half—a first for England in a knockout match since 1986—Southgate made no changes at the break. Phil Foden saw his early second-half strike ruled out for offside, and Slovakia nearly doubled their lead when Strelec intercepted a poor free-kick from Kyle Walker, launching an ambitious attempt from the halfway line that drifted wide.
In a bid to invigorate England’s attack, Cole Palmer replaced Kieran Trippier, yet Slovakia’s goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka remained largely untroubled. Kane missed a golden chance to equalise, heading wide from Foden’s well-delivered free-kick, and Declan Rice’s long-range effort struck the post, leaving England without a shot on target as the final 10 minutes approached.
Just when it seemed England’s campaign would end in disappointment, Bellingham delivered an acrobatic finish in stoppage time, converting Marc Guéhi’s flick-on from Walker’s long throw to level the score. This dramatic equaliser marked England’s first shot on target and sent the match into extra-time.
The momentum had shifted, and just 52 seconds into extra-time, Kane headed home from close range after Ivan Toney redirected Eberechi Eze’s mis-hit shot into his path. This remarkable turnaround denied Slovakia their first quarter-final appearance as an independent nation, while England, buoyed by their comeback, will face Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
