England staged a sensational comeback to secure a spot in the EURO 2024 quarter-finals, defeating Slovakia 2-1 after extra time.
Slovakia started strong, with early threats from David Strelec and Lukáš Haraslín testing England’s defense.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Strelec’s precise pass found Ivan Schranz, who netted his third goal of the tournament with composure past Jordan Pickford.
England struggled to respond initially, with Phil Foden’s effort ruled out for offside and Harry Kane missing a golden opportunity.
As the second half unfolded, England showed renewed vigor but still faced challenges breaking down Slovakia’s defense.
Declan Rice hit the post with a powerful strike, signaling England’s growing desperation.
In a dramatic turn of events, Jude Bellingham salvaged England’s hopes deep into added time with a stunning overhead kick, equalizing and forcing the game into extra time.
Barely a minute into extra time, England took the lead as Harry Kane capitalized on Ivan Toney’s header to nod in from close range, putting the Three Lions ahead.
Slovakia fought back bravely but failed to find an equalizer, with Peter Pekarík’s miss being their closest chance.
Despite topping Group C, England’s performance against Slovakia was sluggish in the first half, conceding their first goal of the tournament and struggling to generate attacking momentum.
The team’s inability to register a shot on target in the first half of a knockout-stage match since the 1986 World Cup quarter-final underscored their early difficulties.
Harry Kane’s goal in extra time marked a crucial turnaround, highlighting England’s resilience and determination.
Manager Gareth Southgate’s decision not to make changes at halftime initially raised eyebrows but ultimately paid off with a stirring comeback.
Ivan Schranz continued his impressive tournament run, becoming Slovakia’s joint-top scorer with three goals.
His clinical finishing posed constant threats to England’s defense, showcasing his prowess in crucial moments.
Slovakia’s spirited performance kept them in contention until the final whistle of extra time, reflecting their resilience despite the heartbreaking defeat.
England’s victory sets up a tantalizing quarter-final clash, where they will face Switzerland.
