From the brink of one of their worst defeats in years, England somehow beat Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Sunday – thanks to dramatic goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. England looked destined for a dismal last-16 defeat in Gelsenkirchen, having fallen behind to a first-half goal from Ivan Schranz . And Gareth Southgate’s side looked desperately short of solutions as a humiliating loss beckoned, only for Bellingham to score a bicycle kick in the 96th minute , forcing extra time.
And just one minute into the extra 30, Harry Kane nodded home from close range to give England the lead at last, sealing their place in the quarter-finals – where Switzerland await . But how did each player perform? Here are The Independent’s player ratings: Jordan Pickford – 6: Short and long-range distribution was accurate. Could do nothing about Slovakia’s goal.
Kyle Walker – 3: Overcommitted in pressing forward more than once, leaving England exposed and in danger. Even his pace could not save him, this time. John Stones – 3: Still doesn’t convince as the senior member of England’s central defence; when the team endured their nervier moments, Stones was far from assured.
He also got a header wrong as Slovakia closed in on goal and took the lead. In the second half, he was wiping his face with his shirt as a short pass rolled beyond him and to Strelec, whose long-range shot almost beat Pickford for 2-0. That would have gone down as an all-time grea.
