England are Switzerland's opponents in the European Championship quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham equalizes in the 95th minute of the 2:1 win against Slovakia, Harry Kane scores in extra time to make it 2:1.
Once again, the saying about the horse that only jumps as high as it has to applies to the English. This time, however, the horse touched the hurdle several times with both legs. Referee Halil Umut Meler granted the English six minutes of stoppage time, which they needed to avoid an early exit in the round of 16 against the number 45 team in the FIFA rankings.
Ivan Schranz gave Slovakia a deserved lead in the 25th minute with the help of an indisposed England defense. Up to that point and in the 50 minutes that followed, England once again failed to put much together in this tournament. Marc Guéhi, who was involved in conceding the goal, was also cautioned in the rough opening phase, a player who will be suspended for the quarter-final against Switzerland.
Powerless and lacking in energy until almost knocked out
It was only in the final quarter of an hour and a long time after Phil Foden's goal was disallowed for offside (50') that England, who were again without strength and energy for a long time, pressed for the equalizer with the necessary vehemence. First Harry Kane missed the target with a header (78') and Declan Rice hit the post from distance (81'). Then came Bellingham's overhead kick in the 95th minute.
"Saved by the Bell" it was once again. Especially as Harry Kane then woke up from a deep sleep and headed in from close range to make it 2-1 shortly after the start of extra time.
Switzerland will now face another heavyweight in the quarter-finals after their group opponents Germany (1:1). A heavyweight that has yet to impress in the tournament so far.
No concept, no fire
In the fourth game, England once again failed to bring their horsepower to the pitch, with Gareth Southgate sticking to his defensive philosophy at the fourth attempt. Once again, the highly talented team struggled without a visible concept and without fire, and once again they were shockingly harmless in attack for long stretches. This was another reason why England's elimination in the round of 16 was only logical and Slovakia's victory only half a sensation.
Was it the heavy burden that manifested itself on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen in the form of whistles from the home fans after less than half an hour that paralyzed the players? Or was it Southgate's destructive tactics? Or were the players too tired after an exhausting season? One thing is clear: if the most expensive team in the tournament performs in the same way next Saturday in Düsseldorf, Switzerland will have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
Telegram:
England - Slovakia 2:1 (1:1, 0:1) n.V.
Gelsenkirchen. - 47'244 spectators. - Referee Meler (TUR). - Goals: 25. Schranz 0:1. 90.(+5) Bellingham 1:1. 91. Kane 2:1.
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier (66. Palmer); Mainoo (84. Eze), Rice; Saka, Bellingham (106. Konsa), Foden (94. Toney); Kane (106. Gallagher).
Slovakia: Dubravka; Pekarik (109. Tupta), Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka (82. Bero), Lobotka, Duda (82. Benes); Schranz (93. Gyömber), Strelec (61. Bozenik), Haraslin (61. Suslov).
Comments: Both teams complete. 50th goal by Foden disallowed for offside. 78th shot on the post by Rice. Cautions: 3. Guéhi (suspended for the quarter-final against Switzerland). 7th Mainoo. 13th Kucka. 17th Bellingham. 45th Skriniar. 77th Pekarik. 108th Vavro. 114th Gyömber.
SDA
