Euro 2024: England survive scare to advance, Spain cruise into quarter-finals

Cologne (Germany), July 1: England narrowly avoided an embarrassing exit from Euro 2024 by defeating Slovakia 2-1 in extra time on Sunday, thanks to a late equalizer from Jude Bellingham and a decisive goal from Harry Kane.

Spain also progressed to the quarter-finals, overcoming Georgia 4-1 and securing a match against hosts Germany.

England faced a potential shock exit as they fell behind to a 25th-minute goal by Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz.

A Phil Foden equalizer was disallowed for offside, adding to the team’s challenges. However, in the fifth minute of injury time, Jude Bellingham executed a spectacular overhead kick to equalize and send the game into extra time.

Gareth Southgate’s side managed to break Slovakia’s resistance shortly after the match entered extra time. Substitute Ivan Toney headed Eberechi Eze’s mishit shot back across goal for Harry Kane, who finished powerfully to secure victory for England.

“That’s the desire and the attitude from the boys. It looked tough for a second there but you keep going,” Kane was quoted as saying by AFP after the match. “Jude does what Jude does and what an unbelievable goal.”

Slovakia’s coach, Francesco Calzona, expressed pride in his team’s performance despite the defeat.

“My team showed a lot out there. They were great, gave away very little and came close to going through,” said the Italian. “And in extra time we were in their half for long periods, I’m very proud.”

Spain faced a scare in their late game in Cologne when they fell behind against Georgia. Robin Le Normand scored an own goal in the 18th minute, the eighth own goal of this year’s competition and the first time Spain conceded during the tournament.

Rodri Hernandez equalized six minutes before half-time, and Fabian Ruiz headed in a cross from Lamine Yamal to give Spain the lead in the 51st minute. Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly scored from inside his own half, but Ruiz’s goal ended their hopes of an upset.

Nico Williams scored a brilliant third goal for Spain from halfway in the 75th minute, and Dani Olmo added a fourth seven minutes from time. Spain’s team, led by Luis de la Fuente, will now face Germany in Stuttgart on Friday.

Georgia’s coach, Willy Sagnol, commended his players for their memorable first appearance at a major tournament, which included a notable victory over Portugal. (Agencies)