July 1st 2024.
The Euro 2024 last 16 match between England and Slovakia was nothing short of intense. The game was held at Gelsenkirchen's Arena AufSchalke on a Sunday, and it was an eventful one, to say the least. Jude Bellingham's last-minute goal for England forced the game into overtime, giving his team a fighting chance. And it was none other than Harry Kane who scored the decider, leading England to a 2-1 victory.
Slovakia, known for their offensive skills, surprised the Three Lions with their strong start. In fact, they came close to scoring twice, but David Hancko and Lukas Haraslin were unable to break the deadlock despite having promising chances. However, their efforts paid off when David Strelec's amazing build-up work and assist helped Ivan Schranz break the deadlock 25 minutes into the game. This was Schranz's third goal of the tournament, and it definitely gave his team a boost.
England, on the other hand, struggled to convert their 77% possession into a tangible reward in the first half. They tried to increase the pressure, but their efforts were in vain. Things took a turn for the worse when Phil Foden's goal was ruled offside just five minutes into the second half. Lady luck was on England's side as Strelec's long-range shot narrowly missed the empty net moments later.
As the game progressed, England continued to struggle against Slovakia's compact defense. They lacked ideas and creativity, with their only real chance coming from Declan Rice's strike that hit the woodwork in the 81st minute, according to Xinhua's report. As for Francesco Calzona's boys, they were determined to hold onto their narrow lead until the end. However, their hopes were crushed in the dying seconds when Bellingham scored an incredible overhead kick to equalize for England.
The match was now heading into overtime, and the momentum had shifted in England's favor. They wasted no time in completing their comeback as Kane scored his 65th goal for the team, securing their spot in the quarterfinals against Switzerland. Bellingham, who was rightfully named Man of the Match, expressed his pride and excitement at the team's performance. He also acknowledged that it was just the beginning, and they would have to continue playing at their best to win the cup.
Slovakia, on the other hand, was left disappointed but still proud of their performance. According to coach Calzona, they played a great game against a world-class team and one of the tournament favorites. They had almost advanced, but unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. The team will have to regroup and come back stronger in their future games.
And so, England's journey in the Euro 2024 continues as they prepare to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals, which will take place in Dusseldorf on July 6th. It's safe to say that it will be a thrilling match, and fans can't wait to see what happens next.
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