Bellingham and Kane send England into Euro 2024 quarter-finals after comeback with 2-1 win over Slovakia

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — England advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship after Jude Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to spark a 2-1 comeback victory after extra time against Slovakia on Sunday.

Bellingham’s acrobatic overhead kick tied the Round of 16 match at 1-1 with seconds remaining at Veltins Arena.

Harry Kane headed the winner in the first minute of extra time as England avoided one of the biggest shocks in Euro history.

Ivan Schranz scored in the first half for Slovakia and his goal looked to be enough to eliminate England, who were one of the pre-tournament favorites and runners-up at the last Euros.

But Bellingham’s wonder goal sent the game into extra time and Kane sealed victory and a place in the quarter-finals where England will play Switzerland in Duesseldorf.

For so long it felt like one of the most humiliating defeats England had ever suffered – bringing to mind memories of their elimination at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016.

Boos rang through the stadium in the first half as frustration rose among supporters after Slovakia took the lead through Schranz’s 25th-minute goal.

England – ranked fifth – dominated the second half in search of an equalizer and hit the bar with Declan Rice’s long-range effort later on. Phil Foden had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR and Kane missed a golden opportunity when he headed home from close range.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

James Robson, The Associated Press