Euro 2024

FOOTBALL fans have been left convinced that Jude Bellingham’s stunning last-gasp equaliser was something out of Hollywood.Bellingham netted a 95th minute equaliser for England to book them a spot in extra-time against Slovakia, where Harry Kane’s header then proved to be the difference maker to hand the Three Lions a 2-1 win.Jude Bellingham netted a stunning overhead kick against SlovakiaCredit: GettyFans were convinced it was a copy of an iconic sport moviePele scored an overhead in 1981 film Escape to VictoryThe hard-earned victory papered over the cracks of the performance.However, one fan noticed a striking similarity between Bellingham’s overhead kick and one produced in a movie more than 40 years ago.The fan shared a famous clip from the 1981 film, Escape to Victory, which showed Allied World War Two prisoners of war playing an exhibition match against a German team.The sports film starred a number of former professional footballers including Bobby Moore, Osvaldo Ardiles, Kazimierz Deyna, Paul Van Himst, Mike Summerbee, Hallvar Thoresen, Werner Roth and Pele.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe film also had some major names in the world of acting, with Michael Caine, Max von Sydow and Sylvester Stallone among the star-studded cast.In one scene, a cross is floated in towards Pele, who – accompanied by some slow motion camera work and dramatic music – then scores with a bicycle kick.Fans could not help but compare the goal to Bellingham’s own goal, with one saying: “Escape to Victory. The perfect comparison.”A second said: “Got mentioned in our house too.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother said: “I thought this at the time.”Given the comparisons and the amazing season he has had, one might think Bellingham has some kind of creative director behind him.The Sun’s Charlie Wyett gives his thoughts as England scrape passed Slovakia by ‘skin of their teeth’However, when asked after the game about who writes his scripts, Bellingham replied: “I do.”And his two goals at the Euros, the first a winner against Serbia and the second to save England from a last-16 exit, would certainly make for an Oscar-worthy script.A young Pele pictured in 1961Credit: AFPJude Bellingham celebrate the win over SlovakiaCredit: AlamyEngland ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shockerJUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.Jordan Pickford: 5Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.Kyle Walker: 4England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.John Stones: 4Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.Marc Guehi: 5Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.Kieran Trippier: 4When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.Declan Rice: 5An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.Kobbie Mainoo: 6FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.Bukayo Saka: 5We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MANCometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.Phil Foden: 4Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.Harry Kane: 6Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.SUBSTITUTIONSCole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.MANAGERGareth Southgate: 3.A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.Going forward England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals next Saturday after they beat Italy 2-0.SunSport have looked at three ways the Three Lions could line up for that game, while columnist Jack Wilshere has called on manager Gareth Southgate to build the team around Kobbie Mainoo.The best of England vs SlovakiaCHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

GARETH SOUTHGATE will be forced into at least one change for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final – but could make a handful.Impressive performances from the substitutes against Slovakia in Sunday evening’s thrilling comeback could make the boss rethink the way he wants to set up against Switzerland.Gareth Southgate has plenty to think about ahead of England’s clash with SwitzerlandCredit: GettyJude Bellingham’s spectacular overhead kick helped spare England’s blushes against SlovakiaCredit: EPAEngland advanced into the next round in dramatic fashion after Jude Bellingham’s acrobatic finish levelled the scores in the dying embers of added time.Southgate tinkered with his system in extra time to force a winning goal, playing two up top with Ivan Toney partnering Harry Kane.And his gamble worked as Kane nodded home the crucial goal to make it 2-1 off the back of a Toney assist.There were also positive substitute cameos from Ezri Konsa, Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer.READ MORE ON ENGLANDHowever, there were some blows to Southgate’s plans too as suspensions, and potentially injuries, could hamper England’s chances against the Swiss.Marc Guehi, arguably England’s best player at the tournament so far, picked up his second yellow card in Germany and will subsequently miss the Switzerland clash through suspension.And Kieran Tripper limped off the Gelsenkirchen pitch in 66th minute, raising concerns over an injury.Here’s three ways that Southgate could chop and change his side for Saturday’s quarter-final…Most read in Euro 2024Marc Guehi will miss the quarter-final through suspensionCredit: GettyKieran Trippier is a doubt for the Switzerland game through injuryCredit: GettyEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSIF IT AIN’T BROKEMost England fans would suggest that the way the Three Lions have been playing isn’t good enough.But regardless of the style, England have done their job and advanced to the quarter-finals.England vs Slovakia player ratingsSouthgate has been stubborn with his lineups before and should Kieran Tripper be fit to play, then it’s likely that he will make just one change to his starting lineup against Switzerland.Guehi has to come out of the squad and the most likely replacement for him in central defence is Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa after he picked up his first minutes of the tournament – something Joe Gomez and Lewis Dunk are yet to taste.Konsa looked assured when he came on against Slovakia and could occupy the left central position with ease, having played there – as well as right-back, at times – under Unai Emery last season.Of course, Southgate would have to hope that Trippier passes a fitness test for this lineup.Ezri Konsa will likely come in for GuehiCredit: PASET THE TONEToney was arguably one of England’s best performers last night, despite playing just over 30 minutes of football.The Brentford bagsman won three free-kicks and set up a goal in his short cameo.While he was on the pitch he shared the spotlight with captain Kane, and Southgate may look at a way of getting both stars on the field at the same time for the full 90.A back five could facilitate that as an option with England using wing-backs to provide width instead of out-and-out wingers.The best of England vs SlovakiaCHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.Obviously this would mean England lose out on having Foden and Saka on the pitch, but it would allow for more direct goal-scoring threat with two strikers up top.Playing with a five would also allow the Three Lions to re-introduce Trent Alexander-Arnold to the fold – utilising his long balls to find Toney and Kane in the box.Luke Shaw would be the perfect fit on the left side, but if he isn’t fit enough to start then Tripper could also play that role.Should Tripper also be injured, England can gamble on playing Saka at left wing-back to add even more attacking threat, as he did for a chunk of the win over Slovakia.It’s worth noting that Switzerland play a back five themselves and matching them man-for-man might not be the worst idea.Luke Shaw is back in full training for England, but is yet to feature at Euro 2024Credit: AlamyKEEP PALM AND CARRY ONOne final option for England would be to swap out the wide men but keep the back four.Fans have been clamouring for Cole Palmer to start at this tournament and the Chelsea wonderkid could replace Saka on the right hand side.Another quiet night for Foden could see Southgate take a chance on Anthony Gordon on the left wing after his promising, albeit short, cameo against Slovenia.Kobbie Mainoo seems guaranteed to keep his spot next to Declan Rice after he impressed from the off last night.Southgate may have to think about who he plays at left-back for this lineup if both Tripper and Shaw are absent.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn a back four it would most likely mean Konsa comes in for Guehi at left centre-back and Gomez plays as a more defensive left-back.Gomez’s defensive tendencies would give even more reason to play a more direct winger ahead of him in Gordon.Fans are keen to see Cole Palmer start for EnglandCredit: PAJoe Gomez could come into the squad at left-backCredit: Rex More