England player ratings vs Slovakia as five stars poor despite win | Football | Sport
Jude Bellingham‘s sensational 95th-minute overhead kick spared England an embarrassing early exit from Euro 2024 as they snatched a dramatic victory from the jaws of defeat against Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals.
Harry Kane‘s headed winner at the start of extra-time ensured nervy boss Gareth Southgate lived to fight another day on what at one point, looked sure to be his final act as Three Lions boss.
His spirited side will now face Switzerland on Saturday for a place in the last four. Ivan Schranz had given Slovakia the lead on 25 minutes when he beat the offside trap and slotted under Jordan Pickford.
Phil Foden also had a goal chalked off before England’s valiant fightback, inspired by the introduction of Cole Palmer.
There were ironic jeers when he finally emerged onto the touchline but all of Southgate’s subs were instrumental after Eberechi Eze and Ivan Toney also combined for Kane’s goal.
Express Sport rates and slates the England players after their 2-1 win…
PICKFORD – 6
Given no chance by Schranz for the goal but lucky to escape when Strelec was inches wide with an attempt to chip him from the halfway line.
WALKER – 5
The right-back endured a torrid time at the hands of the tricky Haraslin in the first half and carried very little of his usual threat going forward.
STONES – 5
Caught out of position when Slovakia took the lead and the centre-back was so ponderous in possession that England rarely generated any forward momentum.
GUEHI – 5
Took one for the team when he picked up a booking that means he is banned for the quarter-final and failed to track Schranz for Slovakia’s goal.
TRIPPIER – 6
Wasted a decent early chance but then came to England’s rescue with a goalline clearance. Unable to connect with a succession of crosses before being subbed.
MAINOO – 7
Just 93 days after winning his first cap the teenage midfielder put others to shame with his performance. Harshly booked after six minutes and subbed late on.
RICE – 6
Sent a late shot from long distance thumping against the post but the midfielder too often chose the wrong pass. Improved hugely as England dug in during extra-time.
SAKA – 5
Bullied by the aggressive Hancko and only rarely posed a threat. Eventually asked to fill in at left-back to accommodate the introduction of Palmer in the second half.
BELLINGHAM – 8
Any doubts that he’s been touched by the hand of God? Made a mockery of a performance full of frustration by equalising with an overhead kick of pure genius. Subbed.
FODEN – 5
Up against a 37-year-old right back who plays for the ninth-best club in the German second division – and found it a struggle. Had an effort ruled out for offside. Subbed.
KANE – 7
A passenger for 90 minutes and sent a great chance wide. But proved a goalscorer never loses the knack by heading home the extra-time winner. The captain’s 65th England goal. Subbed.
SUBS: Palmer (Trippier 66, 7), Eze (Mainoo 84, 6), Toney (Foden 90, 7), Gallagher (Kane, 116, 5), Konza (Bellingham 116, 6).
SLOVAKIA: Dubravka 6; Pekarik 6, Vavro 6, Skriniar 6, Hancko 7; Kucka 6, Lobotka 7, Duda 6; Schranz 7, Strelec 6, Haraslin 6.
SUBS: Suslov (Haraslin 61, 6), Bozenik (Strelec 62, 6), Benes (Duda 81, 5), Bero (Kucka 81, 5), Gyomber (Schranz 90, 5), Tupta (Pekarik 109, 5)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jude Bellingham (England).
REFEREE: Umut Meler (Turkey): 4.
