‘I didn’t know’ – Jude Bellingham reacts after finding out who England are playing in last-16 of Euro 2024

England midfielder Jude Bellingham was somehow the last to know (Picture: YouTube)

Jude Bellingham was somehow the last to know England would be playing Slovakia in the last-16 round of Euro 2024.

The Three Lions advanced to the knockout stages of the Euros as Group C winners despite three underwhelming performances against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.

Gareth Southgate’s side, who finished as runners-up at the last European Championship, laboured to a 1-0 win over Serbia in their tournament opener before being held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark and a goalless draw by Slovenia.

It appeared as though England would face the Netherlands in the last-16 but results on Wednesday night means they will now take on Slovakia for a place in the quarter-finals.

Slovakia progressed as one of the best third-placed teams on four points, having caused an upset against Belgium in their opening game before losing to Ukraine and drawing with Romania.

Facing Slovakia in just three days time was news to Bellingham, who admitted he was unaware who the Three Lions were playing until Josh Denzel asked him about the threat of Slovakia on an episode of Lions’ Den on England’s social media channels.

‘All eyes on Sunday now,’ Denzel said to Bellingham and England team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold. ‘We’re playing Slovakia, how we feeling about it?’ 

Bellingham responded: ‘I didn’t know [who we were playing] until you just said.

‘But you’re always going to have tough games at this stage of the tournament. People will see it’s Slovakia and think it will be an easy game but that’s definitely not the case.

‘They will pose a different kind of threat and be hard to break down. When you play teams who come at you a bit more it can be a bit more open.

‘But it will be an interesting game and one we’re confident going into. I know the performances haven’t been as good as they could be in the first three games but this is a great opportunity to get back to the level we need to be at.’

Bellingham enjoyed an impressive start to the Euros, giving England an early lead over Serbia in an all-action first-half display.

But he struggled to make an impact against Denmark and Slovenia, prompting some pundits – including Champions League winner Didi Hamann – to question his place in the England team.

The Real Madrid star was not alone in flattering to deceive in a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia last time out and some fans booed and chucked beer cups at Southgate following the match.

But Bellingham has praised the support England have received during games, though he admits there is ‘a lot of negativity’ outside of Germany, with many supporters on social media turning on Southgate and his squad.

‘You definitely draw on the fans for energy,’ Bellingham said. ‘I felt absolutely dead towards the end of the last game but you hear them singing and chanting and it keeps you going.

‘I know there’s a lot of negatively outside the stadiums and the camp but I always feel inside the stadium it’s so different.’

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