Introduction :
In a high-stakes showdown at Euro 2024, England narrowly avoided elimination by overcoming Slovakia with a last-gasp victory, securing their place in the quarterfinals where they will face Switzerland. This intense match showcased the resilience and determination of the English squad, who managed to turn the game around in the dying minutes, much to the delight of their fans.
England narrowly avoided an early exit from Euro 2024 by staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Slovakia with a dramatic 2-1 victory on Sunday. This win secured their place in the quarterfinals, where they will face Switzerland.
The match began with Slovakia taking the lead when Ivan Schranz found the back of the net in the 25th minute. However, England demonstrated their resilience and fighting spirit by responding with two quick goals in injury time. Jude Bellingham scored the equalizer in the 90+5th minute, followed by a winning goal from Harry Kane in the 91st minute.
The first serious attempt came from Slovakia as left-back Hancko advanced into England’s penalty area and struck a low shot that narrowly missed the post. Slovakia continued to threaten when Haraslín made a brilliant run into the box, but his low shot was blocked by a timely intervention from Guehi.
England began to show their attacking threat as the first half progressed. Trippier delivered a precise cross to Kane, whose header deflected off a defender and went out for a corner. Maynou then pounced on a rebound outside the box with a powerful volley, but it sailed over the crossbar.
Despite England's pressure, Slovakia managed to break the deadlock. Schranz capitalized on a silky pass from Strelec inside the box and slotted the ball into Pickford’s far-right corner, giving Slovakia the lead.
England intensified their attacks after conceding, hoping to equalize before halftime. However, Slovakia’s steadfast defense kept them at bay, and the first half ended with Slovakia leading 1-0.
Early in the second half, Foden seemed to have leveled the score for England, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed he was offside when Trippier passed the ball to him. Strelec then almost doubled Slovakia's lead with a long-range shot that narrowly missed the right post.
With England struggling to create clear opportunities, manager Gareth Southgate made tactical changes, bringing on Cole Palmer for Trippier and moving Saka to left-back. Rice’s powerful shot from outside the box hit the post, and Kane’s follow-up volley went over the bar.
England dominated the final minutes of regular time, with Slovakia dropping deep to protect their lead. Against the run of play, Slovakia launched a counter-attack, which ended with a weak shot from Lobotka easily saved by Pickford.
In stoppage time, Bellingham acrobatically volleyed a header from Guehi into the net, forcing the match into extra time. Early in the first period of extra time, Kane headed home a cross to give England the lead for the first time in the match.
Slovakia’s Pekarik almost equalized with a volley from a precise left-wing cross, but his effort went wide. With Slovakia pressing hard for a late equalizer, substitute Toney nearly sealed the win for England with a powerful shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar.
In the end, England's remarkable resilience and determination saw them through to the quarterfinals, where they will now prepare to face Switzerland in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
England's dramatic comeback against Slovakia will be remembered as one of the highlights of Euro 2024. Their relentless pursuit of victory, even when the odds seemed stacked against them, underscores the spirit and talent within the team. As they prepare for their quarterfinal clash with Switzerland, the Three Lions carry forward the momentum and confidence gained from this thrilling encounter, ready to face the next challenge head-on.