Lucky England avoid humiliating exit against stubborn Slovakia

Thursday 4 July 2024

UEFA EUROS 2024

Round-of-16 Match

Veltins Arena Auf Schalke, Rudi-Assauer-Platz 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen, Germany

LUCKY ENGLAND AVOID HUMILIATING EXIT AGAINST STUBBORN SLOVAKIA

Harry Kane & Jude Bellingham scored as England's knockout dream remained alive in a dramatic round-of-16 clash by beating a stubborn Slovakia team by 2-1. 

MATCH PREVIEW:

It doesn't get more tense than this! An interesting RO16 clash between the Group C winners and one of the best 3rd place teams of the group stages. England had to scrape their way through to the knockouts by winning against Serbia, and drawing against Denmark and Slovenia. Whereas Slovakia had an interesting grou p stage which included Belgium, Ukraine and Romania. They beat Belgium in the opening game, then lost to Ukraine & shared the spoils with Romania, to eventually seal qualification. Now, it's the point of no return for both sides. It's simple from here, win and you play Switzerland in the quarters, lose and you can pack your bags and say goodbye. Who will go through? Will it be Gareth Southgate's England or Slovakia?

TEAM NEWS AND FORM GUIDE:

England: Last 5 games = WLWDD, RTK: W MD-1 (1-0) Serbia, D MD-2 (1-1) Denmark, D MD-3 (0-0) Slovenia.

Gareth Southgate makes one change from their goalless draw with Slovenia in the group stage, with Kobbie Mainoo starting in place of Connor Gallagher who drops to the bench. Marc Guehi is one booking away from being suspended for the quarters, should England win today. Bellingham & Kane are England's top goal-scorers of this Euros.

Starting XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier, Mainoo, Rice, Saka, Bellingham, Foden & Kane (c).

Substitutes: Ramsdale, Henderson, Shaw, Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Dunk, Gallagher, Toney, Gordon, Watkins, Bowen, Eze, Gomez, Palmer, Wharton

Slovakia: Last 5 games = WWWLD, RTK: W MD-1 (1-0) Belgium, L MD-2 (1-2) Ukraine, D MD-3 (1-1) Romania.

Calzona names an unchanged Slovakia team that progressed as one of the best third-placed teams from the group stage. Ivan Schranz is Slovakia's top goal-scorer with 2 goals of this Euros.

Starting XI: Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar (c), Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda, Schranz, Strelec, Haraslin.

Substitutes: Rodak, Gyömbér, Suslov, Bozenik, Tupta, Bénes, Bero

Players to Watch:

Jude Bellingham: All the criticism and views on this impressive 21-year-old, hasn't been impressive. Despite a very good first season with Real Madrid, where he won a treble of La Liga, UCL & The Spanish Supercopa, he hasn't fired up to the expectations of the England fans. With only 1 goal to his name so far at the Euros, can he prove the critics wrong by scoring?

Ivan Schranz: It's unreal how Slovakia are doing impressive when this guy is in great form. Having scored against Belgium and Ukraine at this EUROS, can he spring a surprise for the Slovaks today by scoring against England?

KICK-OFF: FIRST HALF

Away we go in Gelsenkirchen, as Slovakia get us underway. A real hype to this game, with both sets of supporters very eager to find out what their nation is going to do. Cards are flying everywhere, as Guehi, Mainoo & Bellingham are booked for England with Kucka, ex-Watford midfielder, booked for Slovakia. A couple of chances, here and there, but Slovakia could not capitalise on the great chances, with Lukas Haraslin tormenting Kyle Walker by getting ahead of him, which is great for Slovakia, but Guehi and Trippier came to England's rescue to deny the chances. And Slovakia seized their chance and scored on 25 minutes. Floated over the top as Slovakia in possession with Strelec, nodding it down nicely. Gets past the defender, and PICKS OUT SCHRANZ, IS THIS THE BIG MOMENT?! OHH, IT CERTAINLY IS THE BIG MOMENT!!! IVAN SCHRANZ HAS SCORED FOR SLOVAKIA!! IT IS HIS 3RD GOAL OF THE EUROS! AND WHAT A TIME TO
SCORE AGAINST LAST YEAR'S RUNNERS-UP OF THE EUROS! POOR DEFENDING BY ENGLAND, GIVING SLOVAKIA A LOT OF ROOM TO ROAM INTO THE PENALTY AREA, AND SCHRANZ'S FINISH WAS PINPOINT BEYOND THE REACH OF JORDAN PICKFORD!! ENGLAND 0 - SLOVAKIA 1! ABSOLUTE SCENES HERE AT THE VELTINS ARENA! 

Ivan Schranz scores the opener to send Slovakia fans wild on 25 minutes.

This is a huge setback for England, who need to respond to the opening goal. Are they capable of finding a response to tie the game? We will have to find out, as Slovakia continue to tie down England with their high press, which is causing England to lose the ball. Fun fact: England have won 3 times from losing positions, when they are a goal down, they come from behind to win it. Can they do it for the 4th time? It's looking very tough for England, with their attack not converting the chances they created. The final product is not coming at the moment, as we approach 3 minutes of added time to close the first half. 

HALF-TIME IN GELSENKIRCHEN. It's been a brilliant 45 minutes for Slovakia, as they tormented the English defence and pressed very well. It is now or never for Gareth Southgate & The Three Lions, if they are to stay in EURO 2024, they have to score twice to win, once to force extra-time.

KICK-OFF: SECOND HALF

It's now or never for England as the second half gets underway. The chances of winning for Southgate's team have dipped, with Slovakia having a 44% chance of making the quarters. England thought they are level when Phil Foden tapped in Trippier's cross, only for VAR to chalk the goal off, as the Manchester City man was offside. Huge frustration for the Three Lions, as they continued to battle and find a hole in the Slovakian defence. It will be interesting to find out, who will blink first with their substitutions. And it was Calzona who makes the first changes for his team with Suslov and Bozenik replacing Haraslin and Strelec on the 61st minute. Now, Southgate brings on his substitutions, with Cole Palmer replacing Kieran Trippier, who has been struggling with injury, this meant a change in the tactics. Bukayo Saka goes to left-back, and Cole Palmer takes over the Arsenal man's spot at right midfield. It's getting really close to call now, England coming close with Harry Kane missing two huge chances to draw his nation level. More frustration piled on the England fans as we have 6 minutes of stoppage time from the 90 to end the second half. Is there a twist in the tale? We're about to find out as England provided the twist by levelling the score on the final minute of added time. Throw-in from Kyle Walker, is deep into the box, GUIDED ACROSS BY GUEHI AND IT'S JUDE BELLINGHAMMM WHO SCORES FOR ENGLAND!!!!!!! JUDE BELLINGHAM HAS JUST SCORED THE MOST SPECTACULAR GOAL EVER!!! AFTER CELEBRATING HIS 21ST BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND, HE COMES UP WITH AN OUTSTANDING OVERHEAD KICK TO SEND ENGLAND FANS INTO ECSTACY!!! AT ONE POINT, THE THREE LIONS WERE HEADING OUT, BUT THE REAL MADIRD MAN, HAS SAVED HIS NATION AND GARTH SOUTHGATE!! AND WE ARE GOING TO EXTRA-TIME!! WHAT ABSOLUTE SCENES HERE!!

An outrageous effort from Jude Bellingham saved England as they forced ET.

END OF THE 90 MINUTES.

KICK-OFF: FIRST PERIOD OF EXTRA TIME

Are we going to see a winner here, as the first period of extra time begins. And would you believe it when I say it, England scored the winner from the free kick. Free kick for England as it will be Cole Palmer to take it. Swung in by the Chelsea man, punched away by Dubravka, attempted shot by Eze, TONEY'S HEADER AND KANE HAS SCORED!!! ENGLAND PRODUCE THE MOST EXTRODINARY COMEBACK AT THIS EUROS!! MAGNIFICENT SCENES HERE IN GELSENKIRCHEN!! HARRY KANE HAS JUST SENT THE ENGLAND FANS CRAZY WITH A GOAL IN EXTRA TIME!! HE HEADS IN GUEHI'S HEADER FROM EZE'S SHOT AND ENGLAND ARE AHEAD AFTER THE 1ST MINUTE OF THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OF EXTRA-TIME!

The ecstacy on Harry Kane's face after he puts England ahead after 91 minutes. 

Now, is there a way for Slovakia to try and chase this game to force penalties? Only one way to find out. This is Harry Kane's 8th goal at a major tournament knockout game, which includes, 2 goals at this EUROS, 2 goals at the FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 & 4 goals at the previous EUROS, the most by an English player.

There was nothing to admire as Slovakia continued to push for a leveller, but they came close when Benes missed his golden chance to level the game, with good pressure from Eberechi Eze. After this, there was no saving Slovakia. They had their chances, but they could not convert them. FULL-TIME WHISTLE HAS BEEN SOUNDED IN GELSENKIRCHEN AS ENGLAND PROGRESS TO THE EURO 2024 QUARTER-FINALS. THEY WILL PLAY SWITZERLAND ON SATURDAY.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jude Bellingham

If there was any doubt about that. Jude Bellingham comes up clutch for the 3 Lions.