A Chilean from Jude Bellingham in the 95th minute saved England from the disgrace of elimination. As added time was about to expire, he found himself alone with a ball coming towards him from a multiple jump in a desperate throw-in. It was going to be the last chance. And he took advantage of it.
So that England had 30 more minutes. She didn’t need that much time. In the 91st minute, the first of extra time, a bad shot by Eze went to Bellingham’s head and that extension found that of Harry Kane, strangely alone just like Jude before, sinking Slovakia, dealing him a blow from which he could not recover because he also lacked the best men, who were progressively replaced to withstand a result that was transformed.
Watched Bellingham on the big screen that hangs from the ceiling how his goal had been. She had not had time to think about how improvised and fleeting the play was, while the English crowd sang ‘Hey Jude’, grateful and happy for not having gone through the shame of returning home as deservedly as Italy. They will face the champion’s executioner, Switzerland, next Saturday.
England are expected to have a short run of form, having been saved by two key actions. Elimination would not have been a surprise, since it was created with the simple observation of the game from a broad view of the proposals of both teams, ignoring colors, shields and names. It was, in essence, a battle between a group worth 1.5 billion compared to another that costs 150, Francesco Calzona had valued, who prepared the match in the press room, putting pressure on the rival and glorifying the Slovak victory if it happened.
John Stones and Harry Kane celebrate making it 2-1 in extra time. / Ebrahim Noroozi / AP
Whistles from the ‘supporters’
Few times the ‘supporters‘They must have whistled for their own, and at the Veltins Arena, it happened. It is true that it costs them little to shout and encourage; A throw-in, a corner, a fast-paced play is enough, but they got so bored with the little passes on the field itself, that tiring and slow construction that that episode occurred after half an hour. The whistles on your own, so frequent in Latin cultures, are very hurtful in northern Europe.
This Southgate’s England was shown, which will be different with another coach and the same players, like a children’s or cadet team due to its rudimentary and simple way of working. From pass to pass, from station to station, everyone in their place because the coach told me not to move me. Neither the goals nor the shot against the post by Rice nor the disallowed goal against Foden color the very poor image of the team.
Bellingham kisses Pickford after a stop in extra time. / Ariel Schalit / AP
A disgust that is sensed
It was clear from the start that Slovakia would cause a stir. The attacking surges of their attackers, Schranz and Haraslin on the wings, and Kucka and Duda, their midfielders, caused fear before the goal came. Until then, the only English chance was a shot by Trippier that knocked a beer over in the second tier.
At the hour mark and a goal disallowed by Foden for offside, some agitation was needed, and Southgate removed Trippier and brought on Cole Palmer, moving Saka back to left back. The only one who escaped from his pair and who made Hancko the worst of the Slovaks.
The fear of winning and the fear of losing They converged in the final stretch. The two fears met and Bellingham reversed fate.
2024-06-30 18:42:29
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