Absolutely woeful : Incredible Gareth Southgate luck as it ends England 2 Slovakia 1 (AET) | OneFootball

It ended England 2 Slovakia 1 BUT if ever a scoreline didn’t tell the true story of a football match, it was this one.

Against admittedly tough opposition, this was arguably the very worst from Gareth Southgate, and yet due to incredible luck, they are somehow through to the quarter-finals.

Yet another shocking team selection, as after the terrible performance against Slovenia, only one change as Mainoo replaced Gallagher in midfield.

Ultra-negative tactics from Gareth Southgate, as usual, saw Slovakia attack from the start and should have been ahead in the opening five minutes as they created chances. The only surprise was that it took until 24 minutes for Schranz to give Slovakia the lead, Guehi was very lucky the striker didn’t go down as he fouled him from behind, it could have been a penalty and probable goal plus a red card.

A terrible 45 minutes as England failed to have a shot on target, the only vague danger they caused was from set-pieces.

England fans wondering whether it would be two or three changes at half-time, Gareth Southgate making… none. Unbelievable this bloke.

The pattern was once again established with Slovakia looking far more likely to score the next goal as England created next to nothing in open play.

An injury to Kieran Trippier ventually saw Southgate forced to make a change, Cole Palmer coming on and Saka moved to left-back…

Slovakia tiring and happy to defend ever closer to their box, yet England with minimal inspiration and crying out for more positive subs.

However, no further subs made until six minutes of normal time left, Mainoo off and on comes… Eze??? What does Anthony Gordon have to do to get a proper chance?

The time clicked past 90 minutes with still Martin Dubravka not having made a save.

England ever more desperate and their late tactic is long throws into the box.

With boos ringing around the stadium for Gareth Southgate, out of nowhere, a long throw was launched in and Guehi got a flick, then Bellingham with a superb overhead kick giving Dubravka no chance. That goal came in the fifth minute of added time with only seconds to go. Outrageous Southgate luck.

Slovakia was stunned and wondering how they hadn’t seen this win out, having been far better than a team ranked some 40 places higher in the world rankings.

Maybe that (and luck!!) contributed to what happened next.

The team came out for extra-time and within a minute England was somehow ahead, once again coming from just launching the ball into the box from a set-piece, or corner, or throw, Eze completely fluffs his shot, into the ground and going well wide, however, goes straight to Toney who just heads it into a space, where very luckily Kane happens to be and he heads home from close range.

A chance now for Gareth Southgate to really kill the game, get his players to go for the killer third, don’t give Slovakia an inch of hope.

Reality of course is that Southgate instantly orders his players to retreat and try to defend for the next half hour.

Absolutely criminal, to invite a poor and limited Slovakia to come forward and allow them to get crosses/balls into the box from decent positions, England just clinging on.

Looking for inspiration from the box, get the pace and threat of Watkins and Gordon on surely?

Instead, for the second period of added time, Gareth Southgate takes off Kane and Bellingham, replacing them with a defender in Konsa and limited midfielder Gallagher.

Predictably just more of the same, England clinging on against such poor opposition.

After over two hours of football the final whistle went, Martin Dubravka still hadn’t made a save all game, England managing only two efforts on target all match and scoring both.

Switzerland must have watched in disbelief at both the luck Gareth Southgate carried and just how limited he made England today.

On Saturday you have to fear the worst, if/when Gareth Southgate goes the same again, no doubt believing that his genius had won this match.

Final scoreline: England 2 Slovakia 1 (AET)

England team v Slovakia:

Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier (Palmer 66), Rice, Bellingham (Knosa 105), Mainoo (Eze 84), Foden (Toney 90+4), Saka, Kane (Gallagher 105)

Unlucky for Martin Dubravka and his international teammates as no way they deserved to lose this.

The excellent and comfortable Switzerland win over Italy on Saturday, ensured there will be at least one Newcastle United player who gets to the semi-final stage, as the Swiss now play England on Saturday at 5 pm.

Having watched all the matches the two teams have played, unless something drastically changes with England, I wouldn’t be putting a penny on them beating Switzerland.

This is the last 16 schedule to the 2024 European Championships final:

2024 European Championships last 16 matches (all UK times)

Switzerland 2 Italy 0 (Saturday, 29 June, 5pm, Berlin)

Germany 2 Denmark 0 (Saturday, 29 June, 8pm, Dortmund)

England 2 Slovakia 1 (AET) (Sunday, 30 June, 5pm, Gelsenkirchen)

Spain v Georgia (Sunday, 30 June, 8pm, Cologne)

France v Belgium (Monday, 1 July, 5pm, Dusseldorf)