England defeat spirited Slovakia 2-1 in extra time to set up EURO quarters clash with Switzerland

Jude Bellingham made history by becoming the youngest player to score for England in a European Championship knockout match.

His impressive stoppage-time goal helped the Three Lions secure a 2-1 victory over Slovakia and advance to the quarter-finals of EURO 2024.

Following lackluster performances in the group stage, Southgate's team needed a strong showing to revive hopes of winning their first major trophy in 58 years.

Despite a shaky start, with defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Dávid Hancko and Lukáš Haraslín threatening to score for Slovakia, England managed to turn the tide.

Marc Guéhi's crucial challenge denied Haraslín, and chances for Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo kept the pressure on. However, critics were quick to pounce when Francesco Calzona's team took the lead.

David Strelec played a precise through ball to Ivan Schranz, who then scored a clinical goal with the outside of his right foot, bringing his personal goal count for the tournament to three.

Despite not managing to get a shot on target in the first half of a knockout game for the first time since 1986, England made no changes at halftime.

Phil Foden had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after the restart, but Slovakia continued to press, coming close to scoring in daring fashion.

Strelec intercepted a poorly executed short free-kick from Kyle Walker to John Stones and attempted a long-range shot from the halfway line, which missed the target.

Cole Palmer was substituted for Trippier to inject some much-needed energy, but Slovakia's goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka was not troubled.

England had a chance to score when Kane connected with Foden's well-placed free-kick, but the captain missed the target inexplicably.

Declan Rice hit the post with a long-range shot, giving England some hope late in the game, but they still hadn't managed a shot on target with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Just when it seemed like England would exit the tournament quietly, Jude Bellingham, who has been in fine form for Real Madrid all season, scored a spectacular goal in stoppage time, equalizing with an acrobatic finish after Guéhi flicked on Walker's long throw into the box.

This was England's first shot on target in the match, and it came in impressive fashion, sending the game into extra time.

The game took an unexpected turn when, after only 52 seconds of extra time, Kane scored a goal from close range following a flick from substitute Ivan Toney to Eberechi Eze, whose shot was mishit and landed perfectly for the captain.

This turn of events marked a significant change in the game, preventing Slovakia from reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament as an independent nation.

Southgate's team will now face Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday with boosted morale.