England scored an epic 2-1 win against Slovakia in the last-16-match of the Euros 2024. The action took place at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, where the Three Lions demonstrated their ambition and the skill they are blessed with, setting up an appointment with Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
Actions Taking Shape
The first attack was begun by both sides, attacking with high intensity, and tactical skills were at the highest level. Slovakia was the first to score in the 25th minute. The goalkeeper, Sasha was the one who kicked the long ball over of the Slovakian defense to David Strelec, who made an assist to Schranz. He played a fantastic through-ball to Ivan Schranz, who made it look easy and scored his third goal of the tournament when Ivan Schranz, who was the one to put the ball in the England goalkeeper’s net for the third time, did an extraordinary job.
England’s response to the early downside was not to change the plan to press forward to chase and score. No matter how much they tried, Slovakia was strong, and their defense kept England at a distance. The first half ended with Slovakia in the lead and the Three Lions being criticized at the same time. For those following the match and placing bets, the strong Slovakian defense and England’s struggle to score were critical factors influencing the betting odds.
The Major Change
Entering into injury time, the match was on a knife-edge, but England’s commitment finally bore fruit. Marc Guehi, who knocked on after the long throw-in to the penalty box, was the one that made Bramall knock the ball for Jude Bellingham. Jude Bellingham found a way to hit the ball, which spiraled high into the air, sending it into the net and beating the goalkeeper to level the score, much to the amazement of all the supporters.
Harry Kane told ITV after the match, complemented the team’s resilience and tactical preparedness. “Our desire and attitude secured the win,” Kane mentioned. “We’ve worked on so many details. We put a long throw in a couple of days ago, and we said we might need it. Then, Jude does what Jude does. It was an unbelievable goal, and it kept our tournament alive.”
Focus Of The Overtime
The game was drawn at the end of regular time, so it was a tie that went into extra time. The Slovakians, who were quite literally down with exhaustion, found it hard to maintain their original intensity. England made the most of this opportunity, with Kane scoring an essential goal very early in the first period of extra time. A flick-on from Ivan Toney, who was a late substitute, made it possible for Kane to head the ball into the net, thus reversing the outcome of the match.
England was able to keep the 2-1 score through the extra time. Southgate included the substitution of Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa for Bellingham and Kane, as the fresh legs. This decision enabled them to consolidate their defense, and the advantage was maintained.
Statistics
| Statistic | England | Slovakia |
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 3 |
| Possession (%) | 60 | 40 |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 85 | 78 |
| Fouls | 12 | 10 |
Looking Forward
When the final whistle was blown, the England team celebrated a well-deserved win. The attention has now shifted towards their upcoming quarter-final match against Switzerland on the 8th of July at the Dusseldorf stadium. Southgate and his squad are excited to incorporate the dramatic win into their next game.
Thinking of the game, Kane emphasized the role of team effort and individual brilliance. “I think it’s one of the best goals in our country’s history. What a player he is. He works so hard for the team. There’s been a lot of talk about him in the last couple of days, and it shows what he can do in the big moments,” Kane said about Bellingham’s performance.
Key Moments in the Match
- 25th Minute: Namely, Schranz scored for Slovakia.
- Stoppage Time: Precisely at the stoppage time, Jude Bellingham, with an extremely beautiful goal, equalized Slovakia’s lead through his overhead kick.
- Extra Time: It is Harry Kane who has returned the favour through a header from Ivan Toney’s flick-on.
- Speed and Change: Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa helped secure the win after replacing Kane and Bellingham.
- Final Whistle: The national team of England secures a 2-1 win and advances to the quarter-finals.
Conclusion
In fact, they have managed to overcome such a situation and even get to the quarter-finals. The fight for first place in Group Y is still afloat to the semifinals. The team has shown the ability to work together to deliver amazing performances that the public has appreciated. Yet, no one team seems to be clearly superior. England’s rescue from the jaws of death at the last minute is owing to Jude Bellingham’s spectacular overhead-kick goal. Of course, with the help of technology and remarkable individual performance, as well as a valiant and selfless effort by the team, the Three Lions of England are someday going to reach halves or even win the Cup.