Jude Bellingham has revealed that England's players took the criticism from fans and pundits personally, using it as motivation to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 round of 16. The Real Madrid midfielder scored a stunning overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to equalise, before Harry Kane headed the winner in extra time.
Speaking after the match, Bellingham said: 'It's got to be up there, hasn't it? There's a few nice ones, goals that mean a lot to me personally like my first goals for Birmingham, Dortmund, Madrid. But this was a feeling like no other.' He added: 'In international football, knock-out football, it's the worst feeling when you are no more than 30 seconds from going home and having to listen to all the rubbish.'
The 21-year-old acknowledged the intense pressure on the team, saying: 'Playing for England should be one of the proudest moments of a footballer's career, but at times it is quite difficult. There's a really intense pressure. The fans expect a lot from us... People talk a lot - and I think you do have to take it personally a little bit.' He described the goal as 'a message to a few people'.
Captain Harry Kane, who scored his 65th international goal, expressed hope that the comeback would provide momentum for the quarter-final against Switzerland. 'When it's that late in the game and you're 1-0 down in knockout football, you need to find a way to claw yourself out of the hole,' he said. 'Hopefully we can use the momentum and take it forward now.'
There was a brief altercation at full-time between Declan Rice and Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona, who criticised England for time-wasting. However, Rice focused on the team's spirit, stating: 'I cannot describe the feeling representing England... There is that inner fight and spirit in us. We have got that togetherness. We would do anything to protect this manager.'
