SAVED BY THE BELL
Fans in dreamland as Kane & Bellingham’s last ditch goals fire England into quarterfinal – after frustrating game
The Three Lions will now face Switzerland
ENGLAND fans are in dreamland after Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham's last ditch goals fired us into the quarter final.
The Three Lions will now face Switzerland after coming back from 1-0 down to beat Slovakia following another frustrating game.
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Beers flew in pubs and fanzones as jubilant England fans celebrated a comeback for the ages.
Kane put the ball in the back of the net after Jude Bellingham scored a wonder goal following a topsy-turvy 90 minutes for the Three Lions.
Speaking after the game, Kane called Bellingham's goal "one of the best in our country's history".
Slovakia went ahead in the 27th minute after Ivan Schranz netted the ball at close range - but England mounted a almighty fightback.
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Declan Rice had to be held back after clashing with Slovak staff amid joyous scenes at full-time.
Aaron Ramsdale was forced to pull his Arsenal team-mate away from Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona.
At home, thousands of people in England shirts watched the knock-out match in pubs and fanzones across the UK.
Earlier today fans had friendly chats with Slovakia fans or channelled their inner Bellingham in kick-abouts.
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People also flooded Boxpark Wembley - where pints were sent flying when England scored.
Watch Rio Ferdinand get on the beers with rowdy England fans as BBC Euros pundit cheers on Three Lions against Slovakia
Sun-loving Brits packed out beaches and bars in Magaluf to watch the game.
Four costumed pals dressed as St George toasted Harry Kane & Co ahead of the last-16 clash.
The lads from Bristol were among thousands of England fans in Gelsenkirchen and surrounding areas to enjoy the build-up to the game.
One of the group — retired IT salesman Paul Stancombe, 60 — said: “We wanted to support the lads and have some fun at the same time. We were in a German fan zone yesterday in lederhosen — but today it was all about the Three Lions.
“Hopefully, we put a smile on people’s faces.”
In Newcastle’s Times Square, frustrated supporters held their heads in their hands as it looked as if dreams of glory were slipping away yet again.
But a rollercoaster two hours of football saw supporters rewarded for enduring the turmoil.
Operations manager Luke Scott, 40, of Gateshead, is confident of further success against Switzerland on Saturday in the quarter-finals, saying: “There has been criticism of the team but we’re good enough to beat the other teams.
“We’ve definitely got the squad to be able to win the whole thing.” Last night’s game also provided a boost to the supermarkets.
The Three Lions will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals next Saturday.
Switzerland demolished Italy 2-0 to get through to the next round - and will be a very tough opposition indeed.
England will need to play a lot better than they have in Gelsenkirchen today.
Marc Guehi will miss the game after he was carded early on in tonight's clash.
Guehi's absence will pose a big conundrum for Southgate - with the Crystal Palace star consistently delivering throughout the tournament so far.
Posting on Twitter at full-time, Prince William said: "Emotional rollercoaster!
"Let's go England! Quarter finals here we come! W."
Footage shows Ian Wright and Gary Neville going wild after Bellingham's equaliser - with a different reaction from Roy Keane.
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Neville and Wright were seen screaming and hugging in delight at the overhead kick.
But Irishman Keane kept his arms crossed and walked away from the screen showing the match.
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ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS VS SLOVAKIA
Here are SunSport's player ratings from Tom Barclay:
Jordan Pickford: 5
Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.
Kyle Walker: 4
England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough.
But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.
John Stones: 4
Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21.
Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.
Marc Guehi: 5
Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final.
Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.
Kieran Trippier: 4
When Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.
Declan Rice: 5
An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
First start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.
Bukayo Saka: 5
We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.
Jude Bellingham: 7
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.
Phil Foden: 4
Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.
Harry Kane: 6
Still way off his best - he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break - but got it right when it counted in extra time.
SUBS:
Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
Fans were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.
Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.
Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7
Grabbed the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick - which he had won with his strength - had been cleared.
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