England beat Slovakia 2-1: From ‘Icelandic vibes’ to ‘get out of jail free card’

Subtitles for the movie, Highlights: England 2-1 Slovakia

Author, Emlyn Begley
Role, BBC Sport journalist
38 minutes ago

There was an “Icelandic atmosphere” at half-time between England and Slovakia, and even “Sweet Caroline didn’t sound too sweet” at the end, but Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions reached their fourth successive quarter-final.

After three group stage performances that ranged from terrible to mediocre, many pundits wondered whether a convincing victory in the Euro 2024 round of 16 match would mark the team that was favored to win the tournament.

Instead there was talk of a “get out of jail free card” thanks to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

England were trailing at half-time and Ivan Schranz produced a stunning move to give Slovakia – ranked 45th in the world – the lead.

It brought back memories of Euro 2016, when a surprise Iceland surprised England at the same stage of the tournament.

Roy Hodgson resigned as manager after the match, and many believe Southgate will end his tenure as England manager in the summer, a position he has held since November 2016.

Gary Neville, the ITV pundit who was Hodgson’s assistant this summer, said: “I was on the bench in Nice when England played Iceland – there was an Icelandic feel to that game.

“Gareth Southgate needs to rip up the script.”

Former Ireland captain Roy Keane added: “This is the most important team talk of Gareth Southgate’s career.

“Southgate could be out of a job within 45 minutes if he doesn’t change something. He has to cope.”

Did things pick up in the second half? Not necessarily. Till the end.

video caption, Southgate is “very proud” of England’s spirit

Phil Foden’s goal was disallowed for offside immediately after the break, but England struggled to take control of the match after that opportunity.

Joe Hart was England’s goalkeeper in the shock win over Iceland eight years ago and watched the match live on BBC Radio 5 after retiring this summer.

“I can relate to that,” said the former Manchester City and Celtic player. “It’s not a nice feeling. I was there in 2016. As a team and as players, you only hope for one more chance.”

There was one more chance.

In the fifth minute of added time, Real Madrid star Bellingham scored England’s final goal at a major tournament (excluding extra time) – an incredible bicycle kick from near the edge of the penalty area.

“He looked dead and then after scoring the goal he started pressing at the start of extra time,” former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He scored a crucial header in the first game (against Serbia) and that was a decisive moment for England.

“I don’t think these performances can be changed now. We rely on moments of genius.”

The goal was England’s first shot on target, with the second coming 50 seconds into extra time when their all-time leading scorer, Kane, found the net.

There were no more of them. They seemed to have returned to their shell and held their own on the Schalke pitch until the end.

Hart added: “It’s a real shame when you see them dominating, but when they get ahead they just become very cautious.

“Let’s invest in and expand the get-out-of-jail-free card.

“I expect the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up when we win, and I just don’t feel that way. I feel like I should be excited. It’s going to take a huge improvement to get anything out of the Switzerland game on Saturday.”

England fans, as is their custom, sang Sweet Caroline afterwards as England players and Southgate came over to thank them for their support.

Some of them may have been among those filmed leaving the stadium after 90 minutes, before running back in as news of Bellingham’s goal spread.

“Sweet Caroline doesn’t sound too sweet,” said former England right-back Neville.

“Relief is the word of the day and we should thank our lucky stars. We were pathetic and we are pathetic for four games.”

Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown called it “one of the most extraordinary games and performances from England that I have seen”.

“They were on their way home and then two goals in two minutes,” he added. “We held on, but we’re still there screaming.”

Subtitles for the movie, England captain Harry Kane reacts to victory over Slovakia

What now? Time for a tactical revolution?

England, who lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final on penalties, will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 5pm UK time. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One.

“Switzerland took a step forward,” Hart said of the team that beat Italy in the round of 16.

Many pundits are wondering whether the time has come for a revamp of the England national team.

Southgate’s ten players in the starting line-up remained the same from match to match, with only Declan Rice’s midfield partner changing.

They played with a back four but in extra time they played with three centre-backs and attacking players Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze as full-backs.

Switzerland plays with five defenders.

Upson, who scored for England in the 2010 World Cup, said: “We have nothing to lose because what we do doesn’t impress anyone.

If we are going to play like this, we might as well just play match by match and think that we will do what we need to do for the opponent.

Centre-back Marc Guehi will be suspended for the match against Switzerland, while defender Kieran Trippier has been sidelined with injury.

Trippier, who usually plays as a right-back, played at left-back in the first four games because Luke Shaw was not yet fit to play.

“The center back partnership will be broken, will Trippier be fit?” – asked former West Ham defender Upson.

“England could do well playing a back three with Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ezri Konsa. Can Luke Shaw play?”

Neville added: “We need to change something drastically. Everyone in the country is calling for more change.”