LEE DIXON and England supporters were left speechless after a Slovakia star escaped a second yellow card.
The Three Lions were booed off at half time by their own supporters before they produced a dramatic comeback against Slovakia to set-up a Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.
Gary Neville demanded that boss Gareth Southgate had to make THREE SUBSTITUTIONS in order to get ourselves back into it.
Phil Foden had an equaliser ruled out for offside moments after the break but then England were denied another boost.
Five players were booked during the first half – four of which inside the opening 20 minutes – by referee Halil Muler.
One of those was Slovakia’s Juraj Kucka.
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However, it looked to everybody that the 37-year-old Slovan Bratislava midfielder would get his marching order just before the hour mark.
Kobbie Mainoo attempted to burst into the area, but just as he got past the veteran, he was hacked down just outside the box.
Despite awarding the free-kick, Muler decided to keep his cards in his pocket on this occasion and let the ace remain on the pitch.
And that decision infuriated England supporters – including former Three Lions full-back Dixon.
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The Arsenal legend was commentating on the game for ITV, and he asked: “How is that not a yellow?”
Fans also took to the X to vent their fury, with one posting: “That should be a red card there btw. Mainoo breaking into the box and he’s already booked.”
Another wrote: “Mainoo made one foul in the first 3 minutes and got booked.
“Kucka has made 3 since getting booked and hasn’t got a second yellow. Pathetic refereeing.”
A third said: “Kucka has already done at least 3 fouls (1 from behind on Mainoo on an offensive play) since he has been booked.”
England looked set for an embarrassing exit before Bellingham’s brilliant overhead kick in the 95th-minute sent the game to extra-time.
Within seconds of the additional half hour, Southgate’s men had turned the game completely on its head as Harry Kane pounced to make it 2-1.
And, remarkably, that is how it ended as the Three Lions survived by the skin of their teeth.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
