In the early morning of July 1, the 1/8 finals of the 2024 Euro Championship continued, and England, the last runner-up of the team worth 1.52 billion euros, faced Slovakia, which is ranked only 45th in the world. In the first half, Slovakia scored a goal from Kuranc to take a 1-0 lead; In the second half, Foden's goal was disallowed for offside, Rice hit the post, and Bellingham scored a barb in stoppage time to help England equalize! In extra time, Kane scored with a blitzkrieg header to make it 2-1. England also managed to beat Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals of the European Championship, where they will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
In this game, Manchester United's 19-year-old Maynoo started and became the third youngest player to start the knockout round of the major tournament in England team history at the age of 19 years and 72 days, second only to Owen and Wayne Rooney. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and other young talents were all on the scene.
Just five minutes into the game, Slovakia had a dangerous left-footed effort from left-back Hanzko that went just wide of the far post. In the 9th minute, Bellingham, who had just celebrated his 21st birthday, made a delicate diagonal pass from the right, and Kieran Trippier hit the goal directly and went out. In the 11th minute, Harasling's right-footed effort into the box was saved by Guehi and Jordan Pickford.
In the 25th minute, the Slovakia backfield started the ball on the right side, Gohi was out of position in the battle with Kucka, Strelec took the ball and passed straight, Schlanz inserted his right foot and easily pushed the goal, 0-1! England was beaten by the opponent leading the fans. This goal was Slovakia's first goal in the knockout round of the European Championship and Schlandz's third goal in this tournament, tied with Musiala and Mikataze for the top scorer.
In the 31st minute, Bellingham sent a wonderful pass, Saka crossed from the right, but unfortunately there were no teammates at the back post. In the 34th minute, Bellingham broke through with the ball in the penalty area and crossed in front of the goal, and the ball was cleared by the Slovak player. In the 38th minute, Bellingham created a set-piece in front, and Foden was pushed out after passing into the box. In the 45+2nd minute, Menu's long-range shot in front of the penalty area was blocked.
At half-time, England trailed Slovakia 1-0.
In the second half of the game, the two sides changed sides and fought again. In the 49th minute, Kieran Trippier set up Foden for a goal, but the goal was disallowed for offside. In the 51st minute, Kane cut inside on the left and leaned on the defender to hit the goal, and the ball was deflected and deflected.
In the 54th minute, Walker and John Stones made an incredible mistake at the back, and Strelets won the ball and went straight to the goal, and England almost gave their opponent a second goal due to another low-level mistake in the defence. In the 59th minute, Maynu broke through and caused a foul, and England won a well-placed free kick opportunity at the top of the penalty area, and Foden was blocked by the wall.
In the 65th minute, Palmer came on to replace Kieran Trippier, and Saka switched to left-back! The Gunners winger, despite his pre-match insistence that playing at left-back would not solve his team's problems, was placed in that position by Gareth Southgate when the team was in desperate situations.
In the 69th minute, Palmer passed the ball, Bellingham fell after taking the ball in the penalty area, and the referee signaled that there was no foul. In the 78th minute, Foden drove a free kick from the left into the penalty area, Kane rushed to the top of the box unguarded, but the ball was deflected, and England missed the equaliser again.
In the 81st minute, Saka passed the ball, Rice dodged in the edge of the penalty area and then got up with a right-footed long shot, Pippi hit the left post and bounced back into the field, and Kane's subsequent volley was also high above the goal, England still could not equalize the score.
In the 5th minute of stoppage time, England was in a desperate position! Walker throw-in from the right, Guehi's header is crossed, and Bellingham scores with a barb from inside the box! This wonderful goal also pulled back the England team that had already come to the edge of the cliff!
Despite criticism in the last two games of the group stage, the 21-year-old Real Madrid superstar was trusted by Gareth Southgate and eventually repaid Southgate's trust with a brilliant late equaliser for England.
Only 1 minute into the first half of extra time, Ivan Toney made a free kick in front, Palmer curled the ball to the penalty area, after the opponent cleared it, Ezer's volley at the front of the penalty area was blocked, Ivan Toney headed the left side of the penalty area, Kane nodded the goal, 2-1!
In the second half of extra time, Southgate replaced Bellingham and Kane at the same time, and replaced two defenders, Gallagher and Konsa, in an attempt to defend the victory. In the end, England also kept the score of 2-1 until the end of the 120 minutes of the game, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship, where they will face Switzerland, who had previously eliminated Italy, in the quarter-finals.
The race was thrilling, but Southgate had the last laugh again.