Jude Bellingham’s brilliant overhead kick saved England from defeat and earned Gareth Southgate another day on the job, but England’s performance before then had been poor.
England’s nervous start continued when Marc Guehi and Kobbie Mainoo were both booked within six minutes, leading to Strelec taking a long-range shot that just missed.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of England National Football Team vs Slovakia National Football Team Stats.
England National Football Team
England were on the brink of shock Euro 2024 elimination against Slovakia – a side ranked 40 places below them – until Jude Bellingham scored one of the greatest goals ever scored by an international footballer at stoppage time in Gelsenkirchen.
Real Madrid striker Marcelo took advantage of a Walker long throw to exploit lax defense and score with a bicycle kick to stun Dubravka with his shot, saving Gareth Southgate’s job and giving England hope in what seemed an unassailable defeat.
England appeared doomed when Slovakia took an early lead through Ivan Schranz’s goal after just 15 minutes, Phil Foden having his goal incorrectly judged offside by VAR and Harry Kane striking the post with his header. But England found new energy with Bellingham’s spectacular equaliser and soon into extra time Kane gave England their winning margin back and sealed victory!
England achieved an unprecedented win by defeating Colombia, even after conceding the opener, at a major tournament – their fastest ever extra time victory ever (50 seconds). Furthermore, this marked only their second time scoring two goals during Euro 2024 qualifying games, and marks their highest scoring Euro finals qualifying match score ever!
Gareth Southgate could hardly have been more relieved after the final whistle blew, hugging both players and Slovakia manager Stanislav Gligorovic with relief. After an initial spat between Declan Rice and Gligorovic, Ivan Toney swiftly intervened. England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals after having survived one of their toughest tests yet. A moment which will stand the test of time; one which gave England an immense boost towards making it to last eight.
Slovakia National Football Team
Slovakia was only officially recognised by FIFA as a national football team following their secession from Czechoslovakia in 1994, so they lack experience competing internationally compared to other nations. Nevertheless, Slovakia qualified for one World Cup tournament – in 2010 in South Africa where they reached the last 16 – where they made history by reaching the knock-out phase.
Slovakian national football team is based in Bratislava and run by the Slovak Football Association, competing internationally as well as in major European competitions. Their home stadium is Tehelne pole in Bratislava reconstructed; previously they played at Vsesportovy arena, Stadion Antona Malatinskeho, Stadion Pod Dubnom in Zilina and Mestsky stadion Nitra.
Slovakia is an attractive tourist destination and boasts a strong economy, yet remains home to just over five million people. Yet despite this fact, Slovakia can boast of an impressive history of sporting achievement – their hockey players have competed at international tournaments while football players have achieved success as well.
Slovaks made history at 2010 World Cup when they stunned reigning champions Italy 3-2 – marking the first time any nation from outside Europe had defeated Azzurri at any major international competition.
Slovaks are well known for playing exciting and enjoyable football, and possess a solid core that should prove difficult to break apart. Their current squad boasts both experienced and younger players with numerous goal scorers including Lukas Haraslin (winger) and Robert Polievka (striker).
Slovakia are an excellent all-round side, and boast an exciting roster of talent. Additionally, their core of Juraj Kucka, Ondrej Duda and Stanislav Lobotka has been together since long before any recent internationals joined.
Goals of England National Football Team vs Slovakia
Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions side had high hopes of adding another win against Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke, but were met with strong resistance by Ivan Schranz’s side, which took the lead through Ivan Schranz in just 25 minutes.
England were forced to fight back, and were rewarded with an equaliser from Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham late in the game. Pounced upon Walker long throw, and used his bicycle kick to beat Dubravka for an exciting equaliser.
England bounced back quickly from their setback, with Bukayo Saka and Bellingham both creating half chances, while Phil Foden almost sent shockwaves through Slovakia’s defence with his free kick before half time.
Matches that had been billed as one of the highlights of the tournament were reduced to 10 men after Marc Guehi and Kobbie Mainoo were booked for fouls during play.
None of the teams were able to record any shots on target during the opening 45 minutes, yet second period proved more lively as Cole Palmer breezed past two Slovakia defenders on his right flank and his cross just missed Jordan Pickford advancing.
Kieran Trippier almost caught out a retreating Juraj Kucka with an off-target pass from Kieran Trippier before Tottenham defender, Kieran Foden was lucky not to be sent off following his lunging challenge on Ivan Toney in the box; Toney himself failed to direct a header on goal from Foden’s corner; Foden then made room for Liverpool youngster Eberechi Eze in extra time, who immediately added some vitality and excitement into England’s attack.
Cards of England National Football Team vs Slovakia
England have endured an extremely frustrating 45 minutes against Slovakia at Veltins Arena. They’ve failed to record a shot on goal and seem devoid of creativity as they try to break down an immovable Slovakia side. Mail Sport journalists Aadam Patel and Ian Ladyman both feel that improvement must occur if England are going to reach quarter-finals.
Ivan Schranz gives Slovakia the lead in the 25th minute when he slips past Marc Guehi and Kieran Trippier to slot his low effort into the bottom corner. It marks their inaugural goal of this tournament and puts them firmly in charge.
England made a change at halftime, switching Jude Bellingham for Foden at left wing-back alongside Bukayo Saka. This tactical adjustment should give their hosts more attacking options going forward – they immediately created one with Bellingham’s tempting cross, but Jordan Pickford made an outstanding save to prevent an opportunity from emerging.
Phil Foden finds space down the right flank and delivers an outstanding cross. Declan Rice strikes hard with his shot but his attempt hits both posts before going wide of both posts.
England are forced to defend a series of set pieces, and Juraj Kucka and Milan Skriniar do a good job at protecting the ball in midfield. But no shortage of determination from England – as evidenced by Kieran Trippier’s brilliant flick-on that led directly to Kane scoring his header on goal! This moment gave England greater confidence heading into the final 15 minutes.
Extra-time
At the stroke of extra-time, England had to pull off something special if they wanted any chance of victory. They did so.
Ivan Schranz’s goal appeared to give Slovakia the advantage, but England were determined not to concede. Phil Foden had his goal disallowed for offside before Kieran Trippier’s cross was just cut out by David Hancko and Declan Rice hit the post after it. At this stage Kobbie Mainoo was added and almost immediately made an impactful difference by sending in an incisive long pass that Ivan Toney could only just manage to hook over the bar.
Bellingham stunned everyone when he hit an amazing equaliser against Martin Dubravka and sent the game into extra time with an extraordinary bicycle kick, taking Walker’s long throw on his chest to leave Martin Dubravka helpless before sending it into extra time with an incredible bicycle kick that sent both teams running wild in celebration.
But work was still to be done, with Trippier’s raking cross finding Ivan Toney who, however, only narrowly missed his target at the far post. Meanwhile substitute Eberechi Eze’s half-volley rebounded off of an upright while Kobbie Mainoo fired low effort narrowly wide of its mark.
There was some late drama following the full-time whistle as Ivan Toney became involved in an altercation with one of Slovakia’s coaching staff members; but Arsenal forward Aaron Ramsey proved an adept peacemaker and the conflict soon subsided. England sealed their win early in extra-time when Harry Kane scored with a close-range header to secure it and move into quarterfinals against Switzerland while Slovakia were sent packing home – giving Gareth Southgate and his players much satisfaction from this win.
