Gareth Southgate admitted he almost replaced Jude Bellingham before rescuing England in their dramatic Euro 2024 last-16 victory over Slovakia.
England came to the brink of humiliating Euro elimination as they struggled to defeat Slovakia after Ivan Schranz’s 25th-minute opener.
The Three Lions didn’t have a single shot on goal in 90 minutes, but somehow forced extra time thanks to a stunning overhead kick from Jude Bellingham in stoppage time.
England bounced back after surviving what would have been a disastrous exit and Harry Kane put aside a lackluster performance to put his team ahead in the first minute of extra time.
It was a notable change, but things could have turned out very differently – Southgate revealed England’s management considered replacing Bellingham in the second half.
“We were thinking if we should take him out, but you know he’s capable of those kinds of moments,” Southgate said. “With 15 minutes left, you wonder if he will be standing.
“We know that in the match itself we needed to improve with the ball, we couldn’t find the right solutions in the first half and we did better in the second.
‘Under that pressure they continued investigating. In the end, it’s the traditional long throw that scores the goal, those moments can happen where you keep wearing down a team.”
England were disappointed despite topping Group C and looked set to return home as they snorted against Slovakia.
But Bellingham and Kane spared England’s embarrassment and saved Southgate’s job, at least for the moment, as the Three Lions now turn their attention to a last-16 clash with Switzerland.
“I’m very proud of the players and the spirit the boys showed,” Southgate added. “Everyone we put into the game contributed and helped us reach the goal.”
“Everyone is pushing and helping each other and tonight that made the difference.”
On Kane, who scored England’s winner, Southgate added: “He’s an extraordinary goalscorer, he’s leading the team really well. He’s been exceptional as captain and he’s stayed the course.”
‘He’s been through it before and nights like this are the ones the younger ones will remember because that’s what happens in tournaments.’
MORE: Roy Keane disagrees with Ian Wright in defending England after Slovakia’s Euro 2024 win
MORE: Jude Bellingham explains his ‘who else’ celebration after England’s goal against Slovakia
MORE: Furious Declan Rice is held back by team-mates after being shoved by Slovakia manager following England’s Euro 2024 win
