England’s victory over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 last-16 tie may have secured their place in the quarter-finals, but it was far from convincing. After lackluster performances in the group stage, many were hoping for a dominant win that would reaffirm England’s status as tournament favorites. However, the first half of the match brought back memories of England’s shocking defeat to Iceland in Euro 2016. The team trailed at halftime, and there were concerns that manager Gareth Southgate’s reign might come to an end if they didn’t turn things around.
The second half didn’t offer much improvement, with England struggling to gain control of the game. It wasn’t until the dying moments of added time that England found their breakthrough. Jude Bellingham scored a remarkable overhead kick to equalize for England, followed by a header from Harry Kane just seconds into extra time. These two goals saved England from an embarrassing exit, but they also highlighted the team’s reliance on moments of individual brilliance rather than consistent performance.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who experienced the defeat to Iceland in 2016, empathized with the team’s situation. He described the feeling of hoping for one more chance and acknowledged the pressure Southgate must be under. Hart also expressed his disappointment in England’s cautious approach after taking the lead, suggesting that the team needs to be more assertive and take risks.
Despite the victory, there was a sense of relief rather than celebration among England fans and pundits. The team’s overall performance has been lackluster throughout the tournament, and there are concerns about their ability to compete against stronger opposition. Pundits like Gary Neville and Martin Keown called for a tactical revolution, suggesting that Southgate should consider making significant changes to the team’s lineup and formation.
England’s next challenge is a quarter-final match against Switzerland, who have already proven themselves by defeating Italy in their last-16 tie. It will be a tough test for England, and some pundits believe that a reshuffle of the team is necessary to have a chance of success. With a suspended Marc Guehi and an injured Kieran Trippier, there are questions about the team’s defensive stability. Suggestions have been made to switch to a back three formation and potentially include players like Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Ezri Konsa.
Ultimately, England’s victory over Slovakia may have secured their place in the quarter-finals, but it has also highlighted the team’s shortcomings. To have any chance of progressing further in the tournament, England will need to improve significantly and make strategic changes to their approach. The quarter-final match against Switzerland will be a crucial test of their ability to rise to the occasion.