The much-criticized England national football team managed to live for another day at the ongoing Euro 2024 after escaping the less-favored Slovakia in the Last 16, huge thanks to a late goal by Jude Bellingham.
The internet was almost ready to feast on another Three Lions failure, as they were down 0-1 goal with under 2 minutes left in injury time.
Slovakia scored early when Ivan Schranz found the back of the net in the 25th minute. Since then, they have controlled the tempo.
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But then, Jude Bellingham happened in the 95th minute.
The young Real Madrid midfielder was at the right spot at the right time when the Three Lions had a throw-in, making a perfect bicycle kick in front of the goal in between defenders.
He sent the England crowd into uproar, which the team needed as the momentum shifted in extra time.
Harry Kane scored another shortly after the whistle for ET, and the opponents seemed to have lost their touch. Three Slovakians were yellow-carded for the rest of the match.
Jude Bellingham hears the criticism
Since stepping foot in Germany, the England Euro 2024 squad has been criticized for their lackluster performances. Kane even had to look back at past England squads to show they were no better.
Individually, he and Bellingham were the target of critics since he came to the tournament, among those billed to breakout.
The 21-year-old is aware of the comments and believes his goal somehow silenced the critics.
"You're 30 seconds from going home and having to listen to all the rubbish and feeling like you've let people down," he said post-game, adding that people already know who he is referring to with the use of the word 'rubbish.'
He also talked about the pressure he, his teammates, and the coaching staff feel as players of England.
"People talk a lot. You do have to take it personally a little bit. We work so hard at this game. We come in every day, we work hard to put on a performance for the fans, sometimes it doesn't go well and sometimes it feels like there's a bit of a pile on, it's not nice to hear," he said.
"But you can always use it and for moments like that, it's nice to throw it back to some people."
Jude Bellingham goal is the best in England's history?
People love to criticize England, but many still give credit to it.
Bellingham's goal has been the most impactful in the tournament so far, and many are hailing it as the best goal in the Three Lions' history.
Even harsh critic and former England defender Gary Neville was in awe.
"He is a special player and that goal has saved England from an incalculable amount of criticism that they have never seen before and he has saved his manager," he said on ITV.
Bellingham also sees it as the most important part of his career but insists that it does not mean much if they do not progress.
England will meet Switzerland in the quarterfinals on July 6, 2024.
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