Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time bicycle kick seals win for England

The Real Madrid midfielder’s brilliance against Slovakia in the 95th minute rescued England from crashing out of the Euro 2024 competition in Germany. The Three Lions were just one minute away from getting eliminated before Bellingham secured a last-minute equaliser with an exquisite bicycle kick.

Harry Kane then headed one home just one minute into extra-time to secure England’s quarter-final spot with Switzerland on Saturday night. For the full 90 minutes, England were actually torn by a Slovakia side who are ranked 45th in the FIFA rankings.

Bellingham was expected to light up Euro 2024 with England and he did so by starting the summer tournament with a goal but his performances went downhill since then. Jude had one of his quietest games on the night but lined himself with a bicycle kick out of nowhere in the 32nd second of the 94th minute of the game.

Jude Bellingham silences his critics after leading England to the quarter-finals.

Bellingham and has some of his teammates in England has come under immense scrutiny for their lacklustre performance in Euro 2024 as the Three Lions finished their group stages with only five points from three games despite being slotted in one of the easiest groups.

But the midfielder’s brilliant overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Kane’s match-winning goal in the extra minute fired England to the quarter-finals.

The 21-year-old who won both La Liga and Champions League trophies with Real Madrid sent out a message post England’s victory over Slovakia.

He said: ‘It’s a feeling that is like no other. In international football, in knockout football, it’s even a worse feeling, because you’re 30 seconds from going home, having to listen to all the rubbish, feeling like you have let a nation of people down.

‘In one kick of the ball, everything can change. It’s a feeling I don’t like to have but when it’s done, it feels great.

‘It’s a habit I’ve picked up from Madrid. Obviously my game has improved a lot since I’ve joined and I’m grateful I could bring it to this game.’

The Three Lions will now play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The tie will take place at Dusseldorf Arena. It remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate makes any final changes against a fiery Swiss squad.

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