Gary Neville claims there must be dramatic changes both to England’s system and personnel if they are to progress at Euro 2024 after a late, late show prevented a disastrous last-16 exit at the hands of Slovakia.
Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time stunner saved Gareth Southgate’s England from an embarrassing loss as the Euro 2024 hopefuls fought back to win 2-1 after extra-time.
A summer that promised so much looked set to end in heartbreak and humiliation for a team that went within a penalty shoot-out of winning the last edition three years ago.
Harry Kane put England in front in the first minute of extra-time
Ivan Schranz put wily, well-drilled Slovakia on course for their biggest win as an independent nation, only for Bellingham to leave jaws on the floor and disbelieving players on the deck in Gelsenkirchen.
The midfielder’s overhead kick five minutes into stoppage-time sent the match to extra-time, with captain Harry Kane’s header seeing Southgate’s side through this tricky last-16 clash.
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Sam Allardyce says England have looked at “sixes and sevens” since the kick-off and need to recover from the “big big blow” of going a goal behind to Slovakia.
Speaking as a pundit on ITV, Neville said: “Sweet Caroline doesn’t sound very sweet. Relief is the word of the day. We’ve been very lucky and we should thank our lucky stars. We were woeful and we’ve been woeful now for four games.
“Not even in extra-time have we played particularly well. We drew Slovakia onto us and they were unlucky at the end.
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Sam Allardyce says Gareth Southgate must take responsibility for England’s first half performance against Slovakia but the players are not showing their quality
“We’ve got to change something dramatically now. I’ve played with Gareth Southgate and I know him. He’s a great guy and he’s got massive integrity, but he will realise tonight that he was so close to the edge. Very close to the edge.
“Everyone in the country has been crying out for more change in every single match – from game one, two, three and I think the same clamour will happen again, for Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and for other players to come into the team to create more balance and excitement.
“Getting over the line and winning is all-important in tournaments, but if you think you can go through a month of a tournament playing like we are doing and get through it to the end, I think is unrealistic.”
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Jude Bellingham scored a glorious overhead kick in the 95th minute to take England’s game against Slovakia into extra-time and spark scenes of celebration across the country
Switzerland await in the quarter-finals on Saturday and England will look to build on the spirit shown towards the end of a match that had looked set to end in a result akin to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Southgate has overseen vast improvements since taking over shortly after that tournament eight years ago, but the pressure and scrutiny will be as hot as ever after squeaking into the last eight and onto his 100th match at the helm.
Speaking alongside Neville on ITV, Roy Keane said: “It [the win] hasn’t really solved anything. You can talk about performances, but at this level it is about getting over the line and winning.
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Sam Allardyce was full of praise for substitute Ivan Toney after his headed assist for Harry Kane’s goal which gave England a 2-1 lead over Slovakia
“Everyone wants a great performance, but if they keep getting results and going through… the next game will be tough but let’s see how they go.
“You have to give them praise as we were really critical at half-time but they found a way to win. The top players found a moment.
“God help us if Bellingham starts playing well. They had two huge moments and they got themselves over the line. Credit where it’s due.”
Bellingham: It’s a great feeling
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Jude Bellingham reflects on England’s dramatic victory over Slovakia and his superb overhead kick that kept England in the competition
England midfielder Jude Bellingham speaking to UEFA:
“You’re 30 seconds away from going home, feeling like you’ve let your nation down, and one kick of the ball and everything’s great. It’s a feeling I don’t want to be in, but when it comes, it’s a great feeling.
“Playing for England is a great thing, but it’s a lot of pressure as well. Being on the pitch and scoring goals for me is a release, it’s a very happy moment.”
On his last-gasp equaliser: “It’s got to be up there. There’s a few nice ones, ones that mean a lot to me personally, but his one was so important, both for today and the mood change if it doesn’t happen. It’s right up there.
“It’s 20 or 30 seconds until we’re out of the European Championship and the mood now is a massive difference, and what it can do for the team going forward. It’s a massive moment, but it’s a long tournament and we’ll only know it if we go on to win the cup. We’ll decide in the next two weeks how important it is.”
