In the early morning of July 1, Beijing time, the European Cup ushered in the third quarterfinals, with England, ranked 5th in the world, facing Slovakia, ranked 45th in the world and with a total population of only 5.43 million.
【Highlights】
From the start, Slovakia took the initiative on the field. In the 25th minute, Schlanz scored his third goal of this cup.
With the score behind, England didn't have much of an effective attack. The Three Lions had just four shots on goal at half-time, and the crowd erupted in boos. The performances of the front four superstars Kane, Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are the same as the club's.
Just four minutes into the second half, Foden was on the end of Kieran Trippier's pass and scored, but the offside goal was disallowed. In the following games, although England's players were active enough, the cooperation between the frontcourt players was really lacking.
In the 95th minute, England's last chance, and the team's first shot on target, Bellingham's barb dragged the game into extra-time.
In the first minute of extra time, Kane scored with a header to overtake the score. In the end, England defeated Slovakia, the third-most valuable team in the round of 24, 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals and face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
【Wonderful Moment】
In the fourth minute, Slovakia's attack from the left was a threat, and Hansko's cross slid past the goalkeeper and Pickford couldn't touch the ball.
In the 9th minute, Bellingham retreated to the left flank to get the ball, and then the pass broke through the Slovak defence, and Trippier outflanked the shot and went more than ten meters high.
In the 12th minute, Haraslin once again broke through England's left-hand defence, the ball had already slipped past Pickford, but Kieran Trippier cleared it in time to avoid danger.
In the 25th minute, there were problems with England's defense on both sides, Schlanz scored with ease, and Slovakia scored first again.
In the 48th minute, Kane moved the ball to the left, Kieran Trippier and Foden connected and passed the ball into the goal, but Foden was offside and the goal was disallowed.
In the 78th minute, Kane's header near the line of the penalty area grazed the post and went slightly wide.
In the 80th minute, Rice's long-range shot hit the post and Kane's follow-up shot went wide.
In the 95th minute, England's last chance, Bellingham received a header from Guehi, thundered on the ground, and equalized with a barb.
In the first minute of extra time, England worked at high altitude, Ivan Toney assisted with a header, and Kane scored with a header.
【Lineup】
England starters:
Goalkeepers: 1-Jordan Pickford;
Defenders: 2-Walker, 5-Stones, 6-Guehi, 12-Kieran Trippier;
Midfielders: 26-Maynu, 10-Bellingham, 4-Rice;
Forwards: 7-Saka, 9-Kane, 11-Foden.
Slovakia starters:
Goalkeepers: 1 - Dubravka;
Defenders: 2-Pecarik, 3-Vavro, 14-Skriniar, 16-Hanzko;
Midfielders: 8-Duda, 19-Kucka, 22-Lobotka;
Forwards: 17-Haraslin, 18-Strelets, 26-Schlandz.