Gareth Southgate had a premonition moments before Jude Bellingham’s stunning 95th-minute overhead kick rescued England against Slovakia tonight.
Bellingham’s remarkable goal was swiftly followed by a Harry Kane header in extra time, sparing England from a potentially humiliating upset at Euro 2024 and setting up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday.
Southgate, buoyed by the team’s resilience, acknowledged his intuition not to substitute the match winners despite their fatigue late in the game.
“I had a feeling the game wasn’t over. It might sound strange, but we kept pushing and probing. The squad’s patience paid off,” Southgate reflected.
The victory ensures Southgate’s tenure continues for another week at least, amidst speculation over his future beyond this tournament. Despite the euphoria of their dramatic turnaround, England faces critical decisions in team selection and tactics moving forward.
Marc Guehi’s suspension for the quarter-final and injury concerns over Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw add to the challenges for Southgate, who is still searching for his optimal lineup after four tournament games.
Despite the nail-biting win, England’s vulnerabilities were exposed by Slovakia’s pressing game, which nearly resulted in an early exit akin to their 2016 loss to Iceland.
Phil Foden’s disallowed goal and several close calls underscored England’s struggle before Bellingham’s heroics shifted the momentum.
Reflecting on his pivotal goal, Bellingham emphasized teamwork over individual glory, echoing Kane’s praise for his decisive contribution and work ethic.
Looking ahead, England must address their tactical frailties to advance further in the competition, with the clash against Switzerland looming as a crucial test of their resilience and adaptability.
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By Benjamin
Gareth Southgate had a premonition moments before Jude Bellingham’s stunning 95th-minute overhead kick rescued England against Slovakia tonight.
Bellingham’s remarkable goal was swiftly followed by a Harry Kane header in extra time, sparing England from a potentially humiliating upset at Euro 2024 and setting up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday.
Southgate, buoyed by the team’s resilience, acknowledged his intuition not to substitute the match winners despite their fatigue late in the game.
“I had a feeling the game wasn’t over. It might sound strange, but we kept pushing and probing. The squad’s patience paid off,” Southgate reflected.
The victory ensures Southgate’s tenure continues for another week at least, amidst speculation over his future beyond this tournament. Despite the euphoria of their dramatic turnaround, England faces critical decisions in team selection and tactics moving forward.
Marc Guehi’s suspension for the quarter-final and injury concerns over Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw add to the challenges for Southgate, who is still searching for his optimal lineup after four tournament games.
Despite the nail-biting win, England’s vulnerabilities were exposed by Slovakia’s pressing game, which nearly resulted in an early exit akin to their 2016 loss to Iceland.
Phil Foden’s disallowed goal and several close calls underscored England’s struggle before Bellingham’s heroics shifted the momentum.
Reflecting on his pivotal goal, Bellingham emphasized teamwork over individual glory, echoing Kane’s praise for his decisive contribution and work ethic.
Looking ahead, England must address their tactical frailties to advance further in the competition, with the clash against Switzerland looming as a crucial test of their resilience and adaptability.