England THROUGH to Euro 2024 quarter-finals: Three Lions roar to victory in Jekyll and Hyde match with Lazarus-like comeback from 1-0 right down to beat Slovakia 2-1 in extra-time after ruthless Bellingham and Kane strike again

England captain Harry Kane tonight headed the Three Lions into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals – after a large scare towards minnows Slovakia.

Supervisor Gareth Southgate’s males seemed getting ready to an embarrassing Euros exit in Gelsenkirchen, just for Jude Bellingham’s spectacular overhead kick to salvage an equaliser deep into stoppage-time.

And skipper Kane delighted the England followers who made up the bulk inside Gelsenkirchen’s 60,000-capacity Enviornment AufSchalke with the decisive purpose – because the Three Lions turned their Spherical of 16 showdown on its head in 196 seconds.

It units up England for a quarter-final conflict with Switzerland on Saturday in Dusseldorf and eases a few of the stress on beleaguered boss Southgate.

England had been jeered off at half-time as they went in a purpose right down to Ivan Schranz’s Twenty fifth-strike for the unfancied Slovakians, who’re ranked forty fifth on the earth – 40 locations under England.

And there was evident disbelief as Southgate despatched the identical eleven again on to the sector for the second interval, with boos ringing out inside two minutes of the restart.

Former internationals had angrily laid into England’s efficiency at half-time throughout ITV’s protection, together with visibly livid former Three Lions full-back Gary Neville.

The ex-Manchester United captain stormed: ‘It’s unlawful that Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t taking part in in a sport like at present.’

There was a glimmer of hope within the fiftieth minute when Manchester Metropolis’s Phil Foden – again from briefly returning to England for the delivery of his third baby earlier this week – shinned the ball into the web 5 minutes into the second half.

But celebrations had been reduce brief when a VAR checked dominated he was offside and the equaliser was disallowed – earlier than Arsenal’s Declan Rose later hit the put up.

However the temper dramatically modified with Bellingham’s stoppage-time equaliser, which despatched the sport into extra-time – adopted swiftly by Kane’s bullet header to place England in entrance. 

Southgate had made substitutions late in regular time, similar to bringing on Chelsea ahead Cole Palmer, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

Supporters within the crowd included wives and girlfriends of the England gamers in addition to celebrities similar to chart-topping pop star Ed Sheeran.

Excessive temper adjustments because the motion unfolded may very well be seen on many faces, as Slovakia dominated the primary half and took the lead – earlier than England fought again. 

The gamers had appeared assured when coming into the Enviornment AufSchalke forward of the 5pm kick-off, with supervisor Southgate making one change to his beginning XI following final Tuesday’s underwhelming goalless draw with Slovenia.

He picked Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo rather than Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, as England sought to ebook a spot within the Euros quarter-finals in Germany.

Supporters had been thronging into the German metropolis and calling for the staff to play with out worry and silence critics with a thumping victory – whereas again dwelling in England bars and fan parks had been brimming with pleasure.

Solely 6,500 tickets had been formally accessible for tonight’s Spherical of 16 encounter, however hordes greater than that quantity converged on Gelsenkirchen and began elevating their beer glasses six hours earlier than kick-off.

Crowds belted out ‘Soccer’s Coming House’, tribute songs to Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden and the nationwide anthem, amid optimistic hopes England to carry out like potential European champions.

Greater than 30,000 England followers had been considered contained in the 60,000-capacity Enviornment AufSchalke, stuffed with hope regardless of lacklustre performances within the group phases.

Three Lions supporters demonstrated as soon as once more that, regardless of lack of official tickets, that they had managed to circumnavigate the system and end up in drive.

England and Middlesbrough fan Paul Walker, 51, who was together with his 17-year-old daughter Kalea, mentioned beforehand: ‘Will probably be a dream come true for us to see England play right here in Germany.

‘I reside right here now and make the journey again to England to see the staff at Wembley – we had been fortunate to get tickets within the poll and are so trying ahead to seeing a 3-0 England victory.

‘The staff have been criticised unfairly over the group matches as a result of we got here out high and undefeated.

‘It’s a knock-out match now and we should not play defensively. We now have acquired gamers like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham who can put the worry into any staff within the final 16.

‘England have gotten to be on hearth and present Slovakia they’re in cost. We now have the staff to do this, with a few of the greatest gamers on the earth.’

Mr Walker, who like his teenage daughter wore an England shirt, added: ‘For those who go searching you, you see so many England followers who’ve spent some huge cash and put within the travelling time to get right here.

‘We’re all right here for England and I do know that won’t be misplaced on the gamers – we actually are the staff’s twelfth man.

‘However even when we win this cup I do suppose it’s time for Southgate to depart and I want to see Jurgen Klopp or Eddie Howe of Newcastle take over. We do want a contemporary begin.

Kalea, who has travelled to Wembley a number of occasions together with her father, added cautiously: ‘I feel we will win, however most likely like 2-1.’

Technician Keith Randall, 31, from Sheffield mentioned: ‘England followers are superb and we assist the boys in each sport.

‘What individuals have to recollect is that they’re representing their nation and that’s the largest honour for them. However I all the time really feel they’re taking part in for us as supporters too.

‘The stadium goes to be principally stuffed with England (followers) and I am unable to think about what the pubs are going to be like again dwelling. Come on England!’

Two Slovenians additionally travelled to assist England and had the flag of St George draped over their shoulders.

Michael Mikla, a 25-year-old from Ljubljana who was together with his good friend Anja, mentioned: ‘I’ve supported England since I used to be a boy.

‘When England performed Slovenia final week, a draw was an ideal outcome for me as a result of it meant each groups might progress.

The salesperson added: ‘I’d love England to be within the last. The gamers are the most effective and so they play soccer with fashion.’

England beat Serbia 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen of their opening Group C sport, because of a purpose by Actual Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, adopted by a 1-1 draw with Denmark and a goalless stalemate towards Slovenia.

A victory for Southgate’s aspect at present would imply going through Switzerland within the quarter-finals subsequent Saturday in Dusseldorf, once more at 5pm.

Switzerland yesterday progressed by triumphing 2-0 over reigning champions Italy, who beforehand beat England on penalties within the Euro 2020 last at Wembley.

Right this moment’s Gelsenkirchen conflict got here in the future wanting 18 years since England had been knocked out of the 2006 World Cup in the identical Enviornment AufSchalke venue, defeated on penalties in a quarter-final towards Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.