- Author, Emlyn Begley
- Role, BBC sports journalist
During the half-time break of England’s match against Slovakia there were “Iceland vibes” and “Sweet Caroline didn’t sound very sweet” at the end either – but the “Three Lions” under Gareth Southgate are in their fourth quarter-final in a row.
After three group stage performances that ranged from awful to average, many experts had wondered whether a convincing win in the round of 16 of the 2024 European Championship would be a statement for the team that was considered the favorite to win the tournament.
Instead, there was talk of a “get out of jail free pass” thanks to Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
England were trailing at half-time, but Ivan Schranz capped off a fine move to put Slovakia – a team ranked 45th in the world – ahead.
This brought back memories of Euro 2016, when underdogs Iceland shocked England at the same stage of the tournament.
Roy Hodgson resigned as manager after that game – and many believe Southgate will end his reign as England manager this summer, having been in charge since November 2016.
ITV pundit Gary Neville, who was Hodgson’s assistant this summer, said: “I was on the bench in Nice when England played Iceland – this game has an Iceland feel.”
“Gareth Southgate needs to rip up the script.”
Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane added: “This is the biggest team talk of Gareth Southgate’s career.
“Southgate could lose his job in 45 minutes if he doesn’t change anything. He needs to step up and stand up for himself.”
Did it get better in the second half? Not really. At least until the end.
Shortly after half-time, a goal by Phil Foden was disallowed for offside, but England struggled to regain control of the game after this chance.
Joe Hart was England’s goalkeeper in that surprise win over Iceland eight years ago and followed the game on BBC Radio 5 Live after retiring this summer.
“I can understand that,” said the former Manchester City and Celtic player. “It’s not a nice feeling. I was there in 2016. As a team and as a player you just hope for another chance.”
There was still a chance.
In the fifth minute of added time, Real Madrid star Bellingham scored England’s last goal at a major tournament (excluding extra time) with a remarkable overhead kick from the edge of the penalty area.
“He looked dead tired and then, after he scored, he applied pressure at the start of extra time,” former England defender Matt Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He scored a crucial header in the first game (against Serbia) and that was a defining moment for England.
“I don’t think these performances can be changed now. We rely on moments of brilliance.”
That goal was England’s first shot on goal. The second goal came 50 seconds into extra time when Kane, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, headed in.
That was all. They seemed to retreat into their shells and ultimately held out against Schalke.
Hart added: “It’s such a shame when you see how dominant they are, but as they move forward they become so cautious.”
“Let’s take the get out of jail free card and build on it.
“I expect the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up when we win, but that’s not how I feel. I feel like I should be buzzing with joy. I have to improve a lot to get something out of Saturday’s game against Switzerland.”
As usual, the English fans then sang “Sweet Caroline” as the English players and Southgate walked over to them to thank them for their support.
Some of them may have been among those filmed outside the stadium after 90 minutes, before running back inside when news of Bellingham’s goal broke.
“Sweet Caroline doesn’t sound very sweet,” said former England right-back Neville.
“Relief is the word of the day and we should thank our lucky stars. We were pathetic and we were pathetic for four games.”
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown described it as “one of the most remarkable games and performances from England that I have ever seen”.
“They were heading home and then two goals in two minutes,” he added. “We held on but we still have a chance.”
What now? Time for a tactical revolution?
England, who lost to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final, will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 17:00 (CEST). The match will be broadcast live on BBC One.
“Switzerland is one step ahead,” said Hart of the team that defeated Italy in the round of 16.
Some experts also wonder whether it is time for a restructuring in England.
Ten players from Southgate’s starting lineup remained the same in every game, with only Declan Rice’s midfield partner changing.
They played with a flat back four, but had to play with three centre-backs and attackers Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze as full-backs in extra time.
Switzerland plays with a back five.
Upson, who scored a goal for England at the 2010 World Cup, said: “We have nothing to lose because what we are doing is not going to knock anyone out.”
“If we play like that, we can also go game by game and think about what we have to do for the opponent.”
Centre-back Marc Guehi will be suspended for the match against Switzerland and full-back Kieran Trippier had to leave the field injured against Slovakia.
Trippier, normally a right-back, played on the left in the first four games as Luke Shaw is not yet fit to play.
“The centre-back partnership is being broken up. Will Trippier be fit?” asked former West Ham defender Upson.
“It might be a good idea for England to play with a back three of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ezri Konsa. Can Luke Shaw play?”
Neville added: “We need to make drastic changes. Everyone in the country is crying out for more change.”
