Declan Rice involved in heated altercation with Slovakia manager after England win
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England's Declan Rice got into a confrontation with the Slovakian coach after the Three Lions advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in a thrilling evening in Gelsenkirchen.
Francesco Calzona aggressively pushed Rice in the chest when the Slovakia manager confronted the referee Umat Meler in a fit of anger after the end of extra time.
Rice seemed prepared to greet Calzona with a handshake, but was upset when the opposing manager raised his arms and attempted to push him back.
Rice was escorted by his friend and England teammate Ivan Toney after being confronted and pushed in the chest by a member of the Slovakia coaching staff.
Next, Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal stepped in to help Rice relax as he kept arguing with the coaches from Slovakia.
The referee Meler pulled out a yellow card during the dispute, but it was uncertain who it was given to.
Jude Bellingham prevented England from experiencing a humiliating loss to Slovakia by scoring a remarkable overhead kick in the final moments of the match, leading to extra time in the Euro 2024 round of 16.
The 20-year-old player from Real Madrid saved Gareth Southgate's team by scoring a goal in the 95th minute. He jumped to connect with an impressive overhead kick just before the match ended.
England were on track to suffer one of their most embarrassing losses ever as Slovakia took the lead with a goal from Ivan Schranz in the middle of the first half. However, Bellingham's last-minute action changed the course of the game.
Southgate had been cautious about making substitutions during the game, and Bellingham was one of the players who may have been lucky to remain on the field after not performing well in Gelsenkirchen.
However, the manager's decision was proven right when England's most important player scored with their very first shot on goal. This was a huge relief for the fans at the stadium and the millions of viewers watching from home.
Bellingham was surrounded by England's players before he joined captain Harry Kane in celebrating. He raised his arms and shouted "who else?!" to the fans in his typical celebration.
During the extra time of the last-16 match, England's backup players unintentionally teamed up. Eberechi Eze's shot was redirected into the goal by Ivan Toney and then tapped in by Kane, putting England in the lead.
England secured the victory and are now set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals this Saturday.
