The midfielder's stunning bicycle kick saved Gareth Southgate's job and dignity, as the captain completed a dramatic turnaround. How can England keep getting away with this?! The Three Lions were on the verge of being eliminated from Euro 2024 by Slovakia, a team ranked 40 places lower than them worldwide and who had never won a knockout game at any significant event. The outsiders would have also deserved the win, with Ivan Schranz capitalizing on England's poor defense to put Slovakia ahead. England had no response or shots on goal until the game reached stoppage time. But that's when Jude Bellingham recalled that he was a Real Madrid great and Ballon d'Or contender, as he saved England with a thunderous overhead kick in the 95th minute. England's tails were up, and in the first minute of extra time, Harry Kane, who had delivered another poor performance, nudged the weary Three Lions ahead. After that, England resorted to their usual timid selves, enough to defeat Slovakia and advance to the quarterfinals against Switzerland. But they will know they will return home on Saturday unless things change since they are running out of time.
Sporty3600 ranks England's players in the Veltins Arena.
Goalkeeper in defense
Jordan Pickford (5/10)
They could not stop Slovakia's goal and, in extra time, took confident corners to demonstrate leadership.
Kyle Walker(5/10):
Decades-long decline from his peak, twice falling victim to Slovakia's pressing trap and being too sluggish to stop Schranz. But more than made up for it in extra time, playing excellent defense and completing a deadly long pass to set Bellingham up.
Marc Guehi (rated 5/10):
Despite being suspended for the quarters, I had a poor start after being booked. Bellingham equalized after he was outmuscled in the air before Slovakia's goal, but he maintained composure and made a flick-on.
John Stones (4.0/10):
When he gave the ball to Strelec by the halfway line, he was slow and careless and nearly got penalized. Moreover, more is needed for the objective.
Kieran Trippier (4 out of 10).
Again, unpersuasive. Guehi was troubled by a poor pass early on and missed an excellent opportunity to score later on. She was wounded and removed during the second half.
Midfielder Declan Rice (4/10):
Not confident enough with the ball. With a powerful effort off the post, he came close to equalizing.
Kobby Mainoo (7/10):
The only player who plays with courage on the ball. Despite being England's top performer at the time, he was substituted before halftime.
Jude Bellingham (5/10):
Put in some crazy tackles and appeared to have lost his nerve. He went lost for a long time until he realized he played for Real Madrid and unleashed his ferocious overhead kick.
Attack: Bukayo Saka (5/10).
There were a few pleasant moments, but I received little support. As England chased the game, he moved from left-back to right-wing-back.
Harry Kane(4/10):
For 90 minutes, he made no effect on the game and squandered his few opportunities. But he found an ally in Toney, who finished the job.
Phil Foden (6/10):
He was one of England's best players, but he ran offside, which prevented him from scoring. Taken off while England was on its way out.
Gareth Southgate England 2024
Subs & Manager: Cole Palmer (5/10)
Added purpose to England's assault, albeit he did not make a significant influence.
Eberechi Eze (6/10):
In extra time, he performed admirably as a wing-back before returning to midfield.
Ivan Toney(6/10):
I added an element of anarchy, which made a difference. Set up Kane's goal, and his hold-up play helped England cross the line.
Conor Gallagher(5/10):
In extra time, England received a boost.
Ezri Konsa (5/10):
Became England's fourth left-back. Did what was necessary to finish the game.
Gareth Southgate (4/10):
He risked destroying his legacy with another boring game plan and waited too long to make improvements. His substitutions made the difference in the end, but he is very certainly on his final life.
0 Comments