Bellingham and Kane complete rescue act as wretched England reach Euro 2024 last eight - 5 talking points
ENGLAND 2-1 SLOVAKIA: Jude Bellingham equalised five minutes into added time to spare English blushes before Harry Kane's extra-time header kept alive hopes of Euro 2024 success
England needed extra-time and the latest of late shows to avoid Euro 2024 embarrassment against Slovakia but serious questions remain over their credentials in Germany.
The Three Lions were facing the prospect of a last 16 defeat as they entered the 95 minute. Jude Bellingham's overhead kick spared English blushes in Gelsenkirchen - the scene of the World Cup exit back in 2006 - as this current crop ensured there would be no repeat.
Harry Kane then needed less than a minute to head home the goal that would ultimately land England a spot in the last eight and keep alive their hopes of silverware.
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Slovakia had never beaten the Three Lions but they were believing when they wandered in at half-time leading 1-0 courtesy of a neat Ivan Schranz finish. The European minnows were good value for their lead and looked to have halted the English dream until the dying moments.
England are still alive - barely - in Germany and all eyes will be on next Saturday in Dusseldorf. Here's the lowdown from an action-packed last 16 clash.
1. The great escape
Harry Houdini was a renowned escape artist and his namesake, Mr Kane, complete England's own recovery mission. Like so many, compared to his usual level, the Bayern Munich frontman has been way off in this tournament, but he produced when his country needed him most.
He and Bellingham are two of the players who have to stand up and be counted if the Three Lions want to go deep into the tournament. Kane had missed a sitter of a header when England were seeking an equaliser, but he atoned when he buried his effort in extra-time. As emotional contrasts go, this game was right up there, and few fans will want to go through that every time.
2. Hey Jude
The squad's Champions League winner has looked a shadow of himself since coming into camp late following Real Madrid's European Cup success. Bellingham has developed with each passing year and showed exactly why he is one of England's leading lights.
By his own standards he's had a poor tournament, but he stepped up when his country needed him most. His overhead kick coming when England were staring down the barrel of an embarrassing defeat until the midfielder came up with the most timely goal he may ever score. The clip of the former Birmingham City man notching is likely to be played for decades to come.
3. Covering up the cracks
Let's be honest though, once the excitement dies down, performances like that are not worthy of tournament success. Winning through character, rather than quality, can only last so long. Eventually you come up against a team who won't present you with the chance to come back.
Slovakia could've been out of sight such were their chances, but instead only led 1-0 at the interval. Against an elite team, England would've been out of the game. We said all through the group stages that the Three Lions were underwhelming, but they retained the benefit of the doubt in the minds of some.
Southgate was adamant that the intensity had gone up in training, but that is not translating into match performances. England's exit from Euro 2024 is currently a case of when - not if - if things don't notably improve.
4. Changes now have to come
So we're into the last eight. The England boss claimed he didn't want to entertain wholesale changes to ensure "continuity". If he doesn't have the temerity to make major changes to the starting XI then he will simply be allowing this mediocre trend to continue.
Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney would all make a difference if they were given the chance from the start. They may not have the careers or the reputations of those currently starting, but the current crop aren't performing sufficiently and England aren't short of quality - give them an opportunity.
5. Are England ready for the Swiss?
In short - probably not. Few of the heavyweight nations have overly impressed thus far at the Euros. Instead those who may be seen as underdogs have ended up being the more accomplished outfits. Austria are an example, as are Switzerland, who knocked out holders Italy on Saturday, and will be England's opponents next week in the last eight.
The Swiss were unlucky not to beat Germany in their group but claimed a major scalp to see off the Azzurri. They will by far the best team England have played at the tournament and the manner in which they beat Italy shows they can cause the top teams plenty of problems and they'll likely be favourites against the Three Lions.
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