Duesseldorf, Germany – England’s Euro 2024 journey was on the brink of disaster before Jude Bellingham’s heroics rescued the team from elimination against Slovakia. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a 2-1 victory for England in the dying moments of extra time. Harry Kane’s early extra-time goal sealed the dramatic comeback for the pre-tournament favorites.
Slovakia came out strong, taking an early lead through Ivan Schranz’s skillful finish in the 25th minute. England struggled to find their rhythm but showed resilience, as they have in previous Euro games where they conceded first. The team thought they had equalized shortly after halftime, but Phil Foden’s goal was disallowed for offside.
As the game wore on, England increased the pressure on Slovakia’s defense, with Kane and Declan Rice coming close to scoring. Despite the mounting frustration, Bellingham’s breathtaking bicycle kick in the 95th minute breathed new life into England’s hopes, sending the game into extra time.
Just seconds into the extra period, Kane found the back of the net with a header, completing England’s remarkable turnaround. Slovakia fought hard to equalize but fell short, with Peter Pekarík missing a crucial chance before the final whistle.
The victory sets up England for a quarterfinal showdown with Switzerland in Duesseldorf on July 6. Despite the win, England will need to improve significantly against the Swiss, who have been impressive in their performances throughout the tournament. Switzerland’s strong showing against Italy and Germany serves as a warning to England that they cannot afford to underestimate their upcoming opponents.