ENGLAND fans are in dreamland after brilliant late goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham put us through to the quarter-finals.
The Three Lions will now face Switzerland after coming back from 1-0 down to beat Slovakia after another frustrating game.
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England fans celebrate Jude Bellingham’s goal Credit: LNP
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Harry Kane headed England into the leadCredit: PA
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Fans go wild at Boxpark Wembley Credit: Darren Fletcher
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A fan celebrates at Boxpark WembleyCredit: PA
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The fans celebrate in the stands at the AufSchalke ArenaCredit: SWNS
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Two legends Three lions celebrate together
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Fans celebrate at Boxpark CroydonCredit: LNP
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Bellingham scored an overhead kick. Credit: Reuters
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Gareth Southgate shouts instructions to his side Credit: PA
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Kane celebrates with the Stones and Guehi nearby Credit: AFP
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Scenes of joy at Boxpark CroydonCredit: LNP
Beers were flying in pubs and fan zones as jubilant England fans celebrated a comeback for the ages.
Kane slotted the ball into the net after Jude Bellingham scored a wonder goal after a reversed 90 minutes for the Three Lions.
Speaking after the game, Kane called Bellingham’s goal “one of the best in the history of our country.”
Slovakia took the lead in the 27th minute after Ivan Schranz struck the ball from close range – but England hit back.
Declan Rice had to be restrained after clashing with Slovakian staff amid jubilant scenes at full-time.
Aaron Ramsdale was forced to withdraw his Arsenal team-mate from Slovakian manager Francesco Calzona.
Back home, thousands of people in England shirts watched the knock-out game in pubs and fan zones across the UK.
Earlier today, fans chatted amicably with Slovakian fans or channeled their inner Bellingham into kick-abouts.
People also flooded Boxpark Wembley – where pints flew when England scored.
Watch Rio Ferdinand drink beer with rowdy England fans as BBC Euros pundit cheers on Three Lions against Slovakia
Sun-loving Brits packed the beaches and bars of Magaluf to watch the match.
Four costumed friends dressed in St George toasted Harry Kane & Co ahead of their last 16 clash.
The Bristol lads were among thousands of England fans in Gelsenkirchen and the surrounding areas enjoying the build-up to the match.
One of the group – retired IT salesman Paul Stancombe, 60 – said: “We wanted to support the lads and have fun at the same time. Yesterday we were in the German fan zone in Lederhosen – but today it was all about the Three Lions.
“Hopefully we put a smile on people’s faces.”
In Newcastle’s Times Square, frustrated fans held their heads in their hands as dreams of glory seemed to slip away again.
But the two-hour football rollercoaster saw fans rewarded for enduring the unrest.
Operations manager Luke Scott, 40, from Gateshead, is confident of further success against Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final, saying: “There has been criticism of the team but we are good enough to beat other teams.
“We definitely have a team that can win the whole thing.” Last night’s game also gave supermarkets a boost.
The Three Lions will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals next Saturday.
Switzerland demolished Italy 2-0 to advance to the next round – and will be a very tough opponent indeed.
England will have to play much better than today in Gelsenkirchen.
Marc Guehi will miss the game after being booked early in tonight’s clash.
Guehi’s absence will present a huge conundrum for Southgate – with the Crystal Palace star having consistently delivered throughout the tournament so far.
Posting on Twitter in full time, Prince William said: “Emotional rollercoaster!
“Let’s go England! The quarter finals are coming! W.”
Footage shows Ian Wright and Gary Neville going wild after Bellingham’s equalizer – with Roy Keane having a different reaction.
Neville and Wright were seen screaming and hugging each other in delight at the overhead kick.
But Irishman Keane kept his arms crossed and walked away from the screen showing the match.
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Ed Sheeran celebrates in the stands until the end Credit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)
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Fans go wild at Boxpark CroydonCredit: Story Picture Agency
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England fans from Bristol ahead of England’s fairytale finish Credit: Paul Edwards
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Fans went wild after Jude Bellingham’s late equalizerCredit: Reuters
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The fans in the stadium had a lot of trouble before the huge victoryCredit: PA
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Fans celebrate winner skipper Harry at Diecast, ManchesterCredit: PA
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England fans pack the main square in GelsenkirchenCredit: Paul Edwards
RATINGS OF ENGLAND PLAYERS AGAINST SLOVAKIA
Here are SunSport’s player ratings from Tom Barclay:
Jordan Pickford: 5
He appeared to injure his left hand on a hard hit in the warm-up, but played anyway. He shot a lot of long balls and was lucky that David Strelec didn’t lob him from 45 meters.
Kyle Walker: 4th
England’s second most experienced player experienced a shock. He looked unusually 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: 4
He said it was time for the senior pros to step up in preparation for the game, but there was no sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he’s just 21 years old.
Stones fired aimless long balls, gave and his mistake almost led to Strelec trying his luck from distance.
Marc Guehi: 5
He was booked early on for a pass under Kieran Trippier’s shot which meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he was out of the quarter-finals.
Schranz cheated him for Slovakia, but his tackle on Bellingham led to the equalizer.
Kieran Trippier: 4th
When Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the penalty area at the first goal, on his favored right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into the Z line.
Declan Rice: 5
The old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair effort, even if it left the 37-year-old limping. His corner attempt with ten minutes to go bounced off the post.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
First start at a major tournament and our only decent player in a terrible first half from England. He volleyed but was also booked for a late tackle.
Bukayo Saka: 5
We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in past games, but he rarely threatened here. Nevertheless, he went far, and in several positions.
Jude Bellingham: 7
The hour comes, the man comes. By the 96th minute, he failed again, but who cares when you step up like that.
Phil Foden: 4
I thought he equalized early in the second half but was ruled out by VAR after he was inexplicably caught offside. Just without him all night, in danger of being dropped.
Harry Kane: 6
He was still far from his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free-kick after the break – but he made it when it counted in extra time.
PREPARATION:
Cole Palmer (for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
The fans were on their feet and clapping when Southgate finally made the change and brought him on. So lively and with a nice performance, he must have a chance to start against the Swiss.
Eberechi Eze (for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
He did enough to deny Slovakian full back Peter Pekarik from a close range goal in extra time. He looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro ran into him.
Ivan Toney (for Phil Foden, 90): 7
He grabbed the assist for Kane’s winner by following on from a free-kick – which he won with his strength – that was deflected away.
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Source: HIS Education