GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany Jude Bellingham scored a stunning strike with just seconds remaining to help England avoid one of the most shocking defeats in European Championship history.
The midfielder’s acrobatic strike five minutes into stoppage time leveled the round of 16 game 1-1 at the Veltins Arena on Sunday. Harry Kane scored again in the first minute of extra time to secure a 2-1 victory and a place in the quarter-finals, where England face Switzerland in Duesseldorf on Saturday.
“I think we had 20 seconds to go before we got out of the European Championships,” Bellingham said. “It’s hard to deny that it was one of the most important moments of my career so far.”
For a long time, it appeared to be one of the most humiliating defeats England have ever suffered – bringing back memories of their elimination at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 – as one of the pre-tournament favorites fell behind to Ivan Schranz’s goal in the first time.
Boos echoed around the stadium in the first half as frustration grew among fans after Slovakia took the lead through Schranz’s 25th-minute goal.
England – fifth placed – dominated the second half in search of an equalizer and hit the post after Declan Rice’s long-range shot at the end of the game. Phil Foden had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR and Kane missed a golden opportunity when he headed in from close range.
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