Bellingham heroics saves England from sorry defeat

The sort of moment that makes it all worth it, and maybe helps England find their true worth as a team.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

England 2

Bellingham (90+5), Kane (91 ET)

Slovakia 1

Schranz (25)

If Gareth Southgate’s side had to put everyone through one of the worst displays of his entire tenure – that also looked set to end it – that at least produced one of the great tournament moments. Jude Bellingham's divine intervention also keeps them in Euro 2024, after a scarcely credible 2-1 extra-time win over Slovakia. “Who else?” the 21-year-old said in celebrating his spectacular 95th-minute winner. How else? Can there be a better way to offer a moment of salvation than a spectacular overhead kick with almost the final touch of the game?

To say it was something out of nothing would be extreme understatement, given that this was maybe the entire Southgate era saved, and that out of a poor personal and collective performance.

This was why the manager kept Bellingham on. He is capable of doing that. England should still be doing much more of it. Maybe this is the turning point for both the Real Madrid forward and the team. That is the potential effect of moments like this, and how they can spark a team. The power could certainly be felt in the stadium, as well as the relief.

The impact could similarly be witnessed on both sides. Slovakia immediately went from lifting themselves off their knees in disappointment to having to stop a set-piece. They failed, as an English side with a new energy saw substitute Ivan Toney tee up Harry Kane for the match-winner. The captain needed that as much as anyone else, in what is maybe another influential moment. Maybe he will now find more goals, and life. There's new hope for what's next, rather than gloom.