Euro 2024: Bellingham, Kane deliver heartbreak to Slovakia

Harry Kane's winner in extra time sent England through past a Slovakia side who were one minute away from one of the biggest upsets in Euro history.

Kane might have scored the winner but it was Jude Bellingham who breathed a bit of life into an England side who were dreadful once again. In the 95th minute, Bellingham had the audacity to try a bicycle kick off a corner. A move he executed to perfection to keep England's hopes alive.

"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," Bellingham said after the match. "It's a feeling I don't want, but when it comes, it's a great feeling."

The equalizer meant heartbreak for Slovakia who put themselves ahead in the first half and stifled England time and time again. Up until the equalizer, England had done very little. Slovakia could have had a second goal in the second half as a poor pass from Kyle Walker caught Kane napping. Jordan Pickford was well off his line as the attempt curled agonizingly just wide of the goal.

Bellingham's goal not only sent the match to extra time but it also shifted momentum. Slovakia, having had the win in their grasp, fell so it was no surprise that they conceded early into extra time with Kane heading home the winner.

"it's hard to find the words; we are all very sad. We were so close. England have quality, they pushed us and then all of a sudden came the Bellingham goal," Milan Škriniar said. "It hurts that we conceded in the very last minute. We were maybe 30 seconds from victory.

The win puts England through to the quarterfinals. While the comeback win is sure to bring joy, and relief, to the English supporters, it doesn't take away that England were dreadful in the 90 plus minutes before that. A moment of brilliance is what kept England alive.

"We're going to be questioned still and we understand that, but we've got some qualities that have kept us in the competition. I'm so proud of the spirit and the leadership the players have shown," Southgate said.

It was a touch of class from Bellingham and route one football that led to Kane's goal. Again, without those two moments, England would be out, culminating one of their worst showings in the competition.

Instead, England get some reprieve and a place in the quarterfinals. A quarterfinal where they will face Switzerland. A team arguably punching above their weight and it won't be easy. Switzerland were the team who knocked out France in Euro 2020. They're not going to be intimidated by England. Given what England have shown so far, they don't have a reason to be either.