Sunday June 30, 2024
England came from behind to dramatically beat Slovakia 2-1 in the UEFA European Championship 2024 at Veltins-Arena in Schalke tonight.
The Slovakians took to the field and started like a house on fire by firing the first slavo at the English. They were not intimidated by the well-accomplished profile of the opponents. They came to the contest to do battle. And they gave something to think about. Slovakia took the lead on the 25th minute through Ivan Schranz. When they had England on the ropes, they could not seal the match. In one instance England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was way out of his goalline and the Slovakian attacker tried to lob the ball over him to no avail. They could not find that finishing touch. They had no killer instinct.
England were worried through the entire match because their game plan was thwarted by the resolute Slovakians. With a goal down and starring at the exit door, they had to summon some of its heavy heaters to salvage the day. And Jude Bellingham headed the call in a spectacular style. He found the back of the with a wonderful acrobatic strike right at the death (90+5’).
The English restored the score to 1-1 and were back in the swings of the Euro 2024 competition.
Slovakia was flabbergasted with its loss of concentration when it mattered the most. An elusive victory was within a touching distance but now Bellingham foiled it. England had was pushed the match into 30 minutes of extra-time. This was the encounter to be stretched this far in the tournament.
In the finality of this even tie, Harry Kane headed home a floating cross just a minute from the begging of extra time. England were in a pound seat with a 2-1 lead at this critical stage.
And that how England secured its quarterfinal draw with Switzerland at Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday July 6, 2024, at 18h00.
Spain obliterates Georgia 4-1
Spain delivered yet another blistering display when they annihilated Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16 on Sunday night.