A Chilean from Jude Bellingham saved England from the ignominy of elimination in the 95th minute. 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.
England had 30 more minutes to play. They didn’t need that much time. In the 91st minute of regulation, the first of extra time, a bad shot from Eze went off 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.
Bellingham looked at the giant screen hanging from the ceiling how his goal had been. He had not had time to reflect on how improvised and fleeting the play was, while the English crowd sang ‘Hey Jude’, grateful and happy for not having suffered the shame of returning home as deservedly as Italy. They will face the champion’s executioner, Switzerland, next Saturday.
A short trajectory is predicted for this England, saved in two key actions. The 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 England, which will be different with another coach and the same players, was seen as a childish or cadet team due to its rudimentary and simple way of acting. From pass to pass, from station to station, each one in his place because the coach has told me not to move. Neither the goals nor the shot off the post by Rice nor the goal disallowed by Foden colour the poor image of the team.
Bellingham kisses Pickford after a stop in extra time. / Ariel Schalit / AP
An intuitable disgust
From the beginning it was clear that Slovakia would cause disappointment. The offensive irruptions of their attackers, Schranz and Haraslin on the wings, and Kucka and Duda, their interior players, caused fear before the goal arrived. Until then, the only English chance was a shot by Trippier who threw a beer in the second amphitheater.
With the hour mark and Foden’s goal ruled out for offside, there was a need for some excitement, and Southgate withdrew Trippier and brought on Cole Palmer, dropping Saka back to left-back. The only player who could get away from his counterpart 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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