England survived a scare from Slovakia to make it through to the quarter finals of Euro 2024 with a 2-1 extra time win.
Ivan Schranz had given Slovakia the lead until deep into stoppage time, when Jude Bellingham produced an exquisite over head kick finish to send the game to an extra 30 minutes.
Only seconds after the re-start and Harry Kane scored what proved to be the winner as they set up a clash with Switzerland.
There were early warning signs of what was to come as Slovakia broke the lines with just five minutes on the clock, left back David Hancko fired a warning shot beyond Jordan Pickford’s far post.
Marc Guehi and Kobbie Mainoo picked up early bookings as the favourites looked nervy in the opening exchanges.
Southgate’s men failed to heed the early red flags though and found themselves behind inside the opening half hour. Some neat interplay found Ivan Schranz free in the area before the forward stabbed the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.
The England boss kept the faith in his starting line-up with no changes at the break despite an uninspiring first period.
The Three Lions started the second half with a determined pace and Phil Foden had the ball in the net after four minutes, only for the winger to be denied by a VAR offside call.
That desire to chase the game was tinged with an element of chaos however and Slovakia almost took advantage when Bellingham gave the ball away from a free kick, allowing David Strelec an audacious attempt at clipping the ball over Pickford from just inside the half but his effort rolled wide.
It was 65 minutes before England did rotate the personnel, with Cole Palmer introduced for Kieran Trippier.
Captain Kane had a golden opportunity as the clock marched on, but he was unable to hit the target with a close range header.
Declan Rice then came agonisingly close as his effort cannoned off the post moments later.
The late rally would eventually prove fruitful though and Real Madrid star Bellingham came up with a moment befitting his stunning club campaign. An acrobatic effort with 90 seconds left on the clock brought the scores level as the game was set for an extra 30 minutes.
The momentum was with Southgate’s side and a minute into extra time they were ahead. Late substitute Ivan Toney nodded the ball into a dangerous area for Kane to power home a header of his own.
Attention will now turn to the quarter final against Switzerland as England’s Euro 2024 dream lives on.
