England v Slovakia: Bellingham stunner sparks dramatic Euro 2024 comeback win

Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time stunner saved Gareth Southgate’s England from an embarrassing last-16 exit as the Euro 2024 hopefuls fought back to beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra time.

A summer that promised so much looked set to end in heartbreak and humiliation for a team that went within a penalty shoot-out of winning the last edition three years ago.

Ivan Schranz put wily, well-drilled Slovakia on course for their biggest win as an independent nation, only for Bellingham to leave jaws on the floor and disbelieving players on the deck in Gelsenkirchen.

The midfielder’s overhead kick five minutes into stoppage time sent the match to extra time, with captain Harry Kane’s header seeing Southgate’s side through this tricky last-16 clash.

Switzerland await in the quarter-finals on Saturday and England will look to build on the spirit shown towards the end of a match that had looked set to end in a result akin to Iceland at Euro 2016.

Southgate has overseen vast improvements since taking over shortly after that tournament eight years ago, but the pressure and scrutiny will be as hot as ever after squeaking into the last eight and onto his 100th match at the helm.

England’s manager received a mixed reception before a ball was kicked at the Veltins Arena, where card-happy referee Umut Meler booked Marc Guehi inside three minutes.

The centre-back will miss the Switzerland clash as a result, with Kobbie Mainoo, making his first competitive start aged 19, and Bellingham, who turned 21 on Saturday, soon collecting yellows.

Francesco Calzona’s Slovakia seemingly smelt blood after England won Group C in such unconvincing fashion. David Hancko’s early cross-shot flew across the face of goal and Kieran Trippier made a key clearance after Guehi threw himself in front of a Lukas Haraslin effort.

The boys in blue continued to play like they were the Euro 2024 favourites and took the lead in the 25th minute.

Bold play ended with David Strelec showing expert awareness to slip in Schranz, who kept his cool as Guehi – who lost the initial aerial ball – failed to get back and stop him slipping his shot past Jordan Pickford.

That goal darkened England’s mood, as did the team’s response. Jeers greeted Southgate’s side slowing down play and passing backwards, with patience on the pitch not shared by those in the stands.

There were also boos at the break from fans that had previously shown their anger after the draws with Denmark and Slovenia.

But Southgate’s men looked to have levelled four minutes after the restart, with Trippier’s low ball across the box turned in by Phil Foden.

The forward – who temporarily left the camp this week for the birth of his third child – saw celebrations cut short as the VAR ruled him offside.

England now had more bite in their attack but they so nearly served a Slovakia a second goal as Strelec met a loose free-kick with a strike from the halfway line that beat the advanced Pickford and bobbled wide.

That was a huge let-off for England, just as already-booked Juraj Kucka’s foul on Mainoo was one for Slovakia.

Foden hit that resulting free-kick into the wall and there were cheers when Cole Palmer came on, although few expected to see Saka moved to left-back even if replaced Trippier was limping.

England continued to probe as they sought a leveller that should have arrived in the 78th minute, but Kane somehow managed to head Foden’s free-kick wide.

Declan Rice hit a post from 25 yards three minutes later as the Euro 2020 runners-up plugged away for an equaliser that looked set to evade them as the match entered six minutes of stoppage time.

But in the fifth of those, a moment of magic sparked bedlam.

Guehi held his ground under pressure and flicked on a throw-in, with Bellingham hitting a brilliant overhead kick past Martin Dubravka.

The strike got England out of jail and took a tie that looked beyond them into extra time, which was not even a minute old when they went ahead.

Eberechi Eze’s shot into the ground was smartly headed on by fellow substitute Ivan Toney and Kane nodded home at the far post in front of the England section.

Southgate’s side dropped back after scoring and dug in as exhausted Slovakia tried to find an equaliser, with Peter Pekarik threatening from close range just before the break.

England v Slovakia player ratings

ENGLAND RATINGS: Dived to his left after five minutes as a shot went wide of his post from the side ranked 45th in the world. He was soon punching the floor and picking only a second goal of the tournament out of his net, one he wasn’t at fault. A spectator for most of the game. EPA

Rare that he’s caught out, but he was three times including in Slovakia’s best early attack in a chaotic start. AFP

Clattered before half time in what should have been a yellow card challenge. Unaware of a short pass that almost led to a Slovakian second. PA

Early yellow card, which means he'll miss quarter-final, then blocked a Slovakia attempt. Clunky and beaten in the air as Slovakia went ahead, but top header in build-up to Bellingham’s equaliser. Getty Images

Right-foot shot went miles over after nine minutes. Excellent pass to Foden down the left. Thought he’d set Foden up for the equaliser five mins into second half. Went off injured after 65. AP

Better. Forceful, but accurate tackle, at a time when yellow cards were being dished out. Passed well to Bellingham, hit the post on 80. Getty Images

Stepped into the team and did little wrong. Started well and heavily involved, though another with an early yellow card for a late challenge. Volleyed over on 23. EPA

Bright start when he was England’s main threat. Moved to left-back when the injured Trippier went off. AP

More involved than in previous matches. Set up Trippier early on, but yet another with an early yellow from a referee letting little go. Tried to lift the crowd after England went behind. Dived and asked for a penalty on 70. By that time, he looked shattered. Yet he stayed on and with good reason for his overhead kick on 95 saved England. Beautiful technique. EPA

Went down after 22 amid called for a penalty. Wasn’t happening for him or his team. Getty Images

Unselfish pass to Trippier stretched Slovakia and led to England’s offside goal. Came alive after and headed a cross down and wide on 77. He’d normally score those. Got the second in the first minute of extra time with a close-range header – his 65th England goal. PA

SUBS: (On for Tripper, 66'): Came on to an enthusiastic welcome – and he immediately gave England energy. EPA

(On for Mainoo, 84'): Found himself playing as a wing-back. Bizarre. Involved in the match-winning goal. Reuters

(On for Foden, 94'): Did well with a header, flicking the ball into the danger area where Kane scored the second. Blasted a shot over after 120 minutes, going for power. Getty Images

(On for Bellingham, 105'): Introduced at half time in extra time. Went to left-back in a five-man defence. AFP

(On for Kane, 105'): Came on at half time in extra time. Drew fouls, won a free kick, got a booking. PA

England’s goalscorers were withdrawn and Slovakia could not find a leveller, with the final whistle bringing "Sweet Caroline" and sweet relief.

Bellingham told ITV Sport afterwards: "I know what I can deliver in those moments. Regardless of what people say, I've done it this year for Madrid, I've done it for England before. Just happy to help the team."

On where he places his goal in moments of his career: "Depends how we're looking in two weeks. If it ends up being one that helps the team win the cup then it will be right up there.

"[It was] a good win, through to the next round. Very happy. It's been tough the last week or so to keep the negative energy out of the camp. I think today they will have been ready for us. We showed the character that England's missed. It's very important to get through."