In the third knockout match of the European Championship, England played against Slovakia, and in the end, Southgate was not dead, relying on goals from Bellingham and Kane, England reversed the opponent 2-1 thrillingly. The world's No. 4 supergiants were almost like the Italian team and were kept out of the top 8.
In the group stage, Slovakia beat Ukraine and finished third in Group E, which also led to their encounter with a "strong" England team in the knockout round. Before the game, most people were not optimistic about the Slovak team, because the difference between the value and paper strength of the two teams was too big.
However, it turns out that the strength of the football game will not be known until it is played, but all fans who have watched the 120-minute game believe that the England team is really not much better than the Slovak team, and they can advance to the quarterfinals, relying on the individual ability of the stars, if you talk about the overall performance, the Slovak team is even above the England team.
Let's take a look at the three goals in this game, in the 25th minute of the first half, the Slovak team scored first, they worked together wonderfully in front, Schlanz received the ball and faced Pickford alone, calmly pushed the far corner to score, and the Slovak team led 1-0. If they maintain this scoreline, they will be a big upset.
After conceding the goal, the England team fought back frantically, but unfortunately they couldn't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and the England team's attack looked very lively, but there were not many absolute chances. The game went into stoppage time, and the score was still 0-1, leaving little time for England. In the 94th minute and 34 seconds, the England team finally scored, Bellingham hooked in the penalty area, and finally hit the ball into the corner, which was completely crushing individual ability, and in the face of this conceded goal, the Slovak defenders and goalkeepers really had no choice.
Then the two teams went into extra time, and in the first minute, Kane scored. Substitutes Eze and Toney combined to get the ball in front of goal, with Kane eventually slotting home the winning goal for England, and Gareth Southgate on the sidelines breathed a sigh of relief. If this game is eliminated, Southgate will be drowned in saliva.
However, despite progressing to the quarter-finals, England's prospects may not be optimistic as they face a strong Swiss side next. Although England is the favorite to win the championship, it is believed that the Swiss team is the favorite to advance in the next game. You must know that in the group stage, the Swiss team drew with the host German team, and entered the knockout stage and defeated the Italian team. After knocking out the previous champions, the Swiss team didn't mind sending the runners-up away with them.
It is no exaggeration to say that in this tournament, the Italian team and the England team are definitely the two strong teams that disappointed the fans the most. The reason why England can reach the quarterfinals is only that they are lucky to meet a weak Slovak team, and they may stop in the quarterfinals against Switzerland next.
You know, after 4 games, not counting extra time, England only got 1 win in 90 minutes. England were seen as favourites to win the tournament ahead of the tournament, but their performances did not live up to their name, against Serbia (1-0), Denmark (1-1), Slovenia (0-0) and Slovakia. Unless there is any luck against the sky and Bellingham and Kane continue to hang up, Southgate may have to be ready to be eliminated!