England are through to the last eight of Euro 2024 but the manner of the win over Slovakia was a mixture of euphoria and disappointment.
The Three Lions simply had to come up with a performance after three disappointing displays in the Euro 2024 group stage.
Sadly, it was more of the same against Slovakia as England fell behind to an Ivan Schranz opener in the first half.
England were just too slow in possession for much of the game and looked to be heading out of the competition with just seconds to play.
Up stepped Jude Bellingham, firing an overhead kick into the back of the net to send the game to extra time.
After waiting 95 minutes for a goal, England found another within seconds of the restart as Harry Kane headed home from close range.
That proved to be the winner with England managing to see out the game, teeing up a semi-final clash with Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate on Ivan Toney reaction
England were desperate for anybody to step up with a goal and Gareth Southgate may have left fans baffled with just two minutes to play.
On came Ivan Toney with mere seconds to play as England looked for a hero.
Toney didn’t score either goal but he did make a real impact off the bench.
The Brentford striker was a real nuisance for Slovakia defenders to handle and ended up assisting Kane’s winner.
Toney’s flicked a header towards goal for Kane to score and gave England a real focal point in the final stages of the game.
It could have got even better for Toney as a golden chance fell his way late on, but he lashed the ball over the bar.
Toney certainly made an impression though and whilst it may not be enough to force his way into the starting lineup, he has given Southgate something to think about moving forward.
Southgate spoke to ITV after the final whistle and admitted that Toney was ‘pretty disgusted’ at being brought in with just moments to play.
Southgate noted that Toney probably thought that he didn’t have enough time to impact the game but they have ‘made up now’ with England through to the next round.
“I think Ivan Toney was pretty disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go and I think we’ve made up now,” said Southgate. “He’s had a big impact in the second goal as well.”
“You put a sub on at that time, it is a last throw of the dice and he maybe doesn’t even touch the ball so I completely understand it, I don’t like putting a player in that position but I just had a feel that he might be able to cause a bit of chaos,” he added.
Toney certainly did cause chaos and can be pleased with his efforts in helping England get over the line.
Substitutes can make an impact at any time and Toney proved that with a fine performance off the bench – even if it looked like he only feature for two minutes rather than an extra-time display.
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