FURTHER STRUGGLES BUT 'STILL IN THERE'

Shearer thinks England boss is not going to change 'drop deep' identity against Swiss

England's quest to end 58 years of hurt at Euro 2024 remains alive thanks to one moment of Jude Bellingham brilliance, but the Three Lions failed to look like future European champions in sneaking past Slovakia 2-1.

Another embarrassing exit for England at a major tournament was looming in Gelsenkirchen until Bellingham's acrobatic 95th-minute effort broke Slovak hearts.

A minute into extra time, Harry Kane then completed the comeback to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on July 6.

However, any England excitement at ending up on the perceived weaker side of the draw was drained away by another turgid performance from Gareth Southgate's men.

They arrived hyped as pre-tournament favourites owing to a squad stacked with attacking talent, with Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona insisted on the eve of the game that Southgate is working with "the best squad at the Euro".

However, a team featuring the Bundesliga's top scorer Kane, the English Premier League's Player of the Year Phil Foden, and La Liga's best player and Champions League winner in Bellingham have been laboured in possession and easy to defend against.

Until Bellingham's late intervention, England had scored just two goals in four games, while the makeshift backline was also exploited by Slovakia early on.