England boss Gareth Southgate almost made a huge mistake (Picture: ITV)
Gareth Southgate has admitted he almost subbed off Jude Bellingham before he rescued England in their dramatic Euro 2024 last-16 victory over Slovakia.
England were on the verge of a humiliating Euros exit as they struggled to break Slovakia down after Ivan Schranz’s 25th-minute opener.
The Three Lions did not have a single shot on target in 90 minutes but somehow forced extra-time courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s stunning injury-time overhead kick.
England rallied after surviving what would have been a disastrous exit and Harry Kane put a mediocre performance to one side to head his side ahead in the first minute of extra-time.
It was a remarkable turnaround but things could have played out very differently, with Southgate revealing the England management considered replacing Bellingham in the second half.
‘We were thinking should we take him off, but you know he is capable of those sorts of moments,’ Southgate said. ‘With 15 minutes to go you wonder if he is out on his feet.
‘We know in the game itself we needed to better with the ball, we couldn’t find the right solutions in the first half and we did it better in the second.
Jude Bellingham celebrating after England reached the quarter-finals (Picture: Getty)
‘Under that pressure they kept probing. In the end it is the old fashioned long throw that gets the goal, those moments can happen when you keep wearing a team down.’
England’s underwhelmed despite topping Group C and looked set to return home as they huffed and puffed against Slovakia.
But Bellingham and Kane spared England’s blushes and saved Southgate his job, for the time being at least, as the Three Lions now turn their attentions to a last-16 clash with Switzerland.
‘I’m so proud of the players and the spirit the lads showed,’ Southgate added. ‘Everybody we put into the game played a part and helped us get over the line.
‘They are all pushing and helping each other and tonight, that made the difference.’
On Kane, who scored England’s winner, Southgate added: ‘He is an extraordinary goalscorer, he is leading the team so well. He has been exceptional as a captain keeping the ship steady.
‘He has been through it before and nights like tonight are which the younger ones will refer back to as that is what happens in tournaments.’
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