England narrowly avoided an upset in the European Championship round of 16 by defeating Slovakia 2-1. The match, held on Sunday at 6 pm, saw Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scoring crucial goals that propelled the Three Lions into the quarter-finals.
Gareth Southgate made a notable change to the lineup by including youngster Kobbie Mainoo in place of Gallagher. Despite their undefeated run in the group stage, England's performances had been underwhelming, with only two goals scored in three matches against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia.
The English team faced harsh criticism from TV experts and the domestic press for their lackluster performances. However, the mood within the English camp remained positive, as highlighted by Southgate in a press conference. The team celebrated Bellingham's 21st birthday and Phil Foden's newborn child, maintaining a good spirit ahead of the crucial match against Slovakia.
Slovakia, on the other hand, entered the round of 16 as the third-best third-placed team, thanks to a surprising victory over Belgium and a draw against Romania. Despite losing to Ukraine, the Slovakians were determined to challenge the favorites, England.
Southgate emphasized the importance of delivering a strong performance in the knockout phase. The English coach acknowledged the need for improvement in their game and viewed the round of 16 as an opportunity to address these issues.
- England's lack of offensive prowess in the group stage was a concern, with top stars like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham struggling to find form. Despite this, Southgate remained optimistic about the team's progress and believed that the goals would eventually come.
- Slovakia's journey to the round of 16 was marked by resilience and determination. The team, coached by Francesco Calzona, managed to secure a spot among the best 16 teams in the tournament, showcasing their ability to compete against stronger opponents.
- The historical encounters between England and Slovakia favored the Three Lions, with five victories and one draw in their previous six meetings. This added pressure on Slovakia to break the trend and create an upset in the knockout stage.
- The match was broadcast live on BeIN Sports 1, with extensive coverage and commentary available for fans to follow the action closely.
