Bellingham’s brilliant performance saves England and secures quarter-final place at Euro 2024

Jude Bellingham saved England from Euro 2024 elimination against Slovakia with a stunning 95th-minute equaliser on Sunday, before Harry Kane’s early winner in extra time sent the under-par pre-tournament favourites into the quarter-finals.

England were once again weak, looking lethargic and unable to create clear-cut chances, but a moment of magic from Bellingham, who scored with an overhead kick, kept them alive before Kane’s header set up a meeting with Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday.

Slovakia started much more energetically than England and warned their opponents several times before Ivan Schranz put a clever shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 25th minute.

Kane uncharacteristically headed a Foden free-kick wide and Declan Rice hit the post as Slovakia were trapped deep in their own half with the final whistle, but England seemed to lack belief as the fans’ frustration grew.

But Bellingham, a day after his 21st birthday, equalised with an incredible effort and took the game into extra time with England’s first shot on goal.

“What an incredible goal, it kept our tournament alive,” Kane told ITV, describing Bellingham’s goal as “one of the best in our country’s history.”

“Thirty seconds before you go home, you feel like you’ve let your nation down and then you kick the ball and everything’s fine again,” Bellingham said. “It’s a feeling I don’t want to experience, but when it comes, it’s a great feeling.”

It took England less than a minute of extra time to take the lead when Kane headed past a despairing Martin Dubravka from close range to complete a remarkable turnaround.

As the game progressed, Slovakia lost momentum and had their best chance to equalise in extra time just before half-time when Peter Pekarik sent a dangerous cross over the bar with his knee.

England fended off a late wave of balls into the box to secure a lucky win and progress to the next round. There they will have to be much better against the Swiss, who beat defending champions Italy in the round of 16.

The victory, however, will not save England coach Gareth Southgate from criticism after he needed 66 minutes to make a single substitution despite his team appearing to be lacking in ideas.