England find a new David Beckham as blushes spared in dramatic Euro 2024 win over Slovakia
England have beaten Slovakia to make the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with Jude Bellingham the hero
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When it comes to the greatest England goals, David Beckham's magnificent free-kick against Greece in 2001 usually springs to mind.
The Three Lions were facing the prospect of having to qualify for the World Cup the following year via the play-offs, despite a qualifying campaign that had included a memorable 5-1 win over Germany in Munich.
But up stepped Beckham, with the Manchester United legend netting a magnificent free-kick to spare England's blushes.
Fast-forward to now, however, and there's a new man coming for Beckham's mantle.
England have beaten Slovakia to make the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with Jude Bellingham the hero
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We are, of course, talking about the brilliant and blockbuster Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid star hasn't been fully at the races at Euro 2024 so far, with a bright showing against Serbia on matchday one making way for flat performances in draws with Denmark and Slovenia.
He was subdued during the first 95 minutes of the match in Gelsenkirchen, too.
But Bellingham stepped up when it mattered, bagging a sensational overhead kick to send the match to extra-time.
His celebration spoke volumes. He was angry, enraged at how England had come precariously close to exiting the competition, livid that it had required the spectacular to restore normality.
JUST IN: Jude Bellingham scores stunning goal to take England and Slovakia Euro 2024 clash to extra-time
Comparisons with the Iceland debacle of eight years ago were there to be made.
Yet Bellingham is no ordinary England player. Whisper it quietly, but he has the potential to be the greatest to ever wear the Three Lions on his chest.
His goal will be a 'where were you?' moment. Where were you when Bellingham emerged from the shadows to fire life into England's Euro 2024 campaign?
England star Jude Bellingham produced the moment of Euro 2024 in his side's dramatic 2-1 win over Slovakia
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They had looked set to go out after an early goal from Ivan Schranz, with the Slavia Prague hitman bagging in the 25th minute.
With Marc Guehi reluctant to tackle, the Slovakia star poked the ball past Jordan Pickford to put his side ahead.
England thought they'd levelled in the second half when Phil Foden struck.
But the Manchester City star's effort was chalked off for offside, with the 23-year-old getting ahead of himself.
For a long time, that seemed to be that.
England struggled to break down Slovakia, who were using every trick in the book to eat the minutes away.
But the moment Bellingham scored, there was only ever going to be one winner.
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Jude Bellingham's goal for England against Slovakia is just like David Beckham's effort against Greece back in 2001
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England, fuelled by adrenaline, took the lead just one minute into extra-time.
Ivan Toney, who impressed coming off the bench, flicked the ball on inside the Slovakia box.
And Harry Kane then stepped up, with the England star heading home to spark wild celebrations around the ground.
England star Harry Kane popped up with the winner against Slovakia
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England must do better than this, however. They have come through this tough test unscatched - but only just.
Improvement is needed. It has been all summer but Southgate's side remain infuriatingly insipid for large spells of matches.
But England are through. That, for now, is all that matters.
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