Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

England2 - 1Slovakia

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 June 2024, 19:40
England remain on course for a maiden continental title thanks to a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

The Three Lions produced another lacklustre display in Gelsenkirchen and were on the cusp of their worst-ever major tournament performance under Gareth Southgate when Ivan Schranz slotted in his third goal of the tournament.

However, Jude Bellingham's sensational bicycle rescued England right at the death in normal time, before Harry Kane headed in the quarter-final clinching goal within 54 seconds of added time.

Here, Sports Mole provides player ratings from the Three Lions' nervy triumph at the Veltins-Arena.

England player ratings vs. Slovakia: Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo among top performers

GOALKEEPER

Jordan Pickford - 7/10

Could not shoulder much of the blame for Schranz's opener but was calm and composed when England needed him to be when Slovenia piled on the pressure late on.

DEFENCE

Kyle Walker - 5/10

Horrendous start as Lukas Haraslin ran him ragged out wide. Settled as the game went on, but still not his finest.

John Stones - 6/10

Should have done better in the lead-up to Slovakia's first-half strike and was caught dilly-dallying for David Strelec's nearly moment from the halfway line. Accurate with his passing, but again, an improvement would not go amiss.

Marc Guehi - 6/10

Picked up a third-minute suspension-inducing yellow card, although was sold short by Kieran Trippier. Subsequently made a vital block to deny Lukas Haraslin but was burned far too easily for Ivan Schranz's goal. Ended a mixed display with the crucial flick-on for Bellingham's goal. Will miss Switzerland.

Kieran Trippier - 5/10

Was a relatively potent offensive outlet in the first half but was nowhere to be seen when Schranz burst through. Arguably should have shot instead of teeing up an offside Foden early in the second half. Substituted with a quarter of the match left after another injury scare but appeared to be fine as he jogged off.

MIDFIELD

Declan Rice - 8/10

A rock in the England midfield and our man of the match. Seven out of seven accurate long passes, six out of six ground duels won and not afraid to come crashing into a challenge. Continues to justify his £105m price tag.

Kobbie Mainoo - 7/10

Made his first major tournament start for England as Southgate's solitary change and could count himself unlucky to pick up an early booking, but then sparked England's brightest moment of an otherwise dull first half with a mazy dribble. Can certainly take pride from his overall display.

Jude Bellingham - 7/10

A shocking short free kick in the second half nearly led to Strelec scoring from the halfway line, but he made amends with a marvellous last-gasp equaliser. Even before his overhead kick, he looked brighter than in previous games with some delicate dribbles.

ATTACK

Bukayo Saka - 6/10

Tried to make things happen out on the right but was marked closely by David Hancko throughout. Forced to play left-back after affirming that such a switch was not a solution to the injury crisis and did a competent job there too.

Harry Kane - 7/10

Somehow missed a close-range header in the second half, made no mistake with another aerial opportunity in the extra-time period. Captain's contribution when England needed it most, but still lacking his usual X-factor.

Phil Foden - 6/10

Had no reason to run offside for his disallowed goal early in the second half and saw a lot of his deliveries land too close to Martin Dubravka. Operated very centrally again and often left England with no wide threat on the left; a tale as old as time.

SUBSTITUTES

Cole Palmer - 5/10

Provided a few nice deliveries after coming off the bench and saw plenty of the ball, but did not have the same impact as he did against Slovenia. Likely has not forced way into the XI for the quarter-final.

Eberechi Eze - 6/10

A mishit volley into the ground ended up starting the move for Kane's winner, and a couple of slick dribbles as a late substitute as well. Not bad at all.

Ivan Toney - 7/10

Did what he was brought to Germany to do. A deft flick-on for Kane's crucial header and impressed with his quintessential centre-forward play in extra time.

Conor Gallagher - 5/10

Came on for the final 15 minutes to provide some fresh legs but saw very little of the ball.

Ezri Konsa - 5/10

See above. Helped to keep England's defensive structure when under the cosh right at the death.

Slovakia player ratings vs. England: Centre-backs shine despite defeat

GOALKEEPER

Martin Dubravka - 6/10

Impeccable dealing with crosses until Kane's header flew past him. Could he have at least tried to dive for Bellingham's astonishing equaliser? Either way, his punching excellence kept Slovakia in the game for long periods.

DEFENCE

Peter Pekarik - 6/10

Skied a golden chance approaching half time in extra time, but may have been offside anyway. Did not show his age for much of the contest and helped to restrict England's threat down the left.

Denis Vavro - 7/10

Was always on hand to hack away some futile England crosses and did himself proud, but was caught out alongside his teammates for Kane's late header.

Milan Skriniar - 7/10

Similarly, led the Slovakian defensive resistance with a raft of clearances and had good positioning for the most part.

David Hancko - 7/10

Barring one moment where Saka bypassed him with ease, did a number on the Arsenal man until his switch to left-back and can also take the positives from his display.

MIDFIELD

Juraj Kucka - 6/10

Beat Guehi in the air to help the attack along for Schranz's goal, but how he was not sent off was anybody's guess. Two yellow-card offences after already being booked, but his fouls certainly helped to stifle England's flow.

Stanislav Lobotka - 7/10

Slovakia's midfield fulcrum was here, there and everywhere throughout the contest and pinged a few gorgeous long balls to his teammates in another competent display.

Ondrej Duda - 8/10

The true definition of a tough-tackling performance. Stepped in with a number of crucial challenges, blocks and interceptions before his number went up in the dying embers.

ATTACK

Ivan Schranz - 7/10

Now the joint-top scorer at the Euros alongside Georges Mikautadze and Jamal Musiala. Took his finish with panache but faded in the second period when England upped the ante.

David Strelec - 7/10

Lovely centre-forward play to wait for the run of Schranz and lay off the winger, before nearly scoring with a sensational effort from the half-way line after a horrendous England free kick. Came off just after the hour.

Lukas Haraslin - 7/10

Had the beating of Kyle Walker during the early exchanges - not many wingers can boast that - and was a constant threat during the first half. Substituted early in the second as Calzona sought fresh legs but did himself proud.

SUBSTITUTES

Robert Bozenik - 5/10

Tried to provide a much-needed presence up top after coming on, but could only fire one shot off target in an ineffective cameo.

Tomas Suslov - 6/10

Created a couple of chances from the left flank following his introduction and was a tricky force to deal with, but nothing that could help change the course of the game.

Matus Bero - 5/10

Replaced the experienced Kucka in the final 10 minutes of the normal time but was largely anonymous.

Laszlo Benes - 6/10

Fizzed a delicious ball into Peter Pekarik - who may have been offside - in extra time and was at the heart of Slovakia's unsuccessful fightback efforts.

Norbert Gyomber - 6/10

Came on for the extra-time period and was a composed influence in the middle of the pitch.

Lubomir Tupta - N/A

A late introduction in extra time but had no impact on proceedings.

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon