1 year ago
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GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP):
JUDE BELLINGHAM needed to produce something special to keep England at Euro 2024.
And he did.
England were seconds away from slumping to one of the biggest upsets in the history of the European Championship when trailing 1-0 to Slovakia deep into stoppage time in the round of 16 yesterday.
But Bellingham’s spectacular overhead kick in the fifth of six added minutes at Veltins Arena sent the game into extra time, and Harry Kane sealed a 2-1 win that keeps alive England’s hopes of a first major trophy since 1966.
“I think it was 30 or 20 seconds until we were out of the European Championship,” Bellingham said. “It’s hard to deny that it was one of the most important moments of my career so far.”
He has had a few.
The midfielder, who turned 21 on Saturday, has just completed a stunning debut season at Real Madrid, winning the Champions League and the Spanish title.
At such a young age, he is already one of England’s most important players and delivered a moment of magic when all hope seemed lost.
“His world is different to pretty much every other 21-year-old in the world ... what he can provide are these moments where he grabs things by the scruff of the neck and his character and his personality create moments that can change a big game,” England manager Gareth Southgate said.
England – one of the pre-tournament favourites and runners-up at the last Euros - trailed to 45th-ranked Slovakia after Ivan Schranz’s 25th-minute goal.
With the clock running down, Bellingham’s time came.
Kyle Walker launched a long throw from the right. Marc Guehi leapt to flick the ball on.
Bellingham was in the box and had to readjust his body to execute a perfect overhead kick, sending the ball into the bottom corner to leave Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka stuck on his line as he watched it nestle into the back of the net.
Some England fans had already left the stadium. Those inside erupted.
“I had a funny feeling the game wasn’t dead, and I know that sounds ridiculous. We were pushing and probing,” Southgate said.
Bellingham’s goal was England’s first shot on target in the match.
They didn’t have to wait long for their second as Kane headed home to score his seventh goal in his last seven knockout games at major tournaments. It was also a record-extending 65th for his country.
England will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Duesseldorf on Saturday.
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