A summer that promised so much looked set to end in heartbreak and humiliation for a team that went within a penalty shootout of winning the last edition three years ago.
Ivan Schranz put wily, well drilled Slovakia on course for their biggest win as an independent nation, only for Bellingham to leave jaws on the floor and disbelieving players on the deck in Gelsenkirchen.
The midfielder's overhead kick five minutes into stoppage time sent the match to extra time, with captain Harry Kane's header seeing Southgate's side through this tricky last-16 clash.
Switzerland await in the quarterfinals on Saturday and England will look to build on the spirit shown towards the end of a match that had looked set to end in a result akin to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Southgate has overseen vast improvements since taking over shortly after that tournament eight years ago, but the pressure and scrutiny will be as hot as ever after squeaking into the last eight and onto his 100th match at the helm.
England's manager received a mixed reception before a ball was kicked at the Veltins Arena, where card-happy referee Umut Meler booked Marc Guehi inside three minutes.
The centre-back will miss the Switzerland clash as a result, with Kobbie Mainoo, making his first competitive start aged 19, and Bellingham, who turned 21 on Saturday, soon collecting yellows.
This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the July 01, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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