Harry Kane and Declan Rice lavished praise on Jude Bellingham after the midfielder kept alive England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Bellingham’s brilliant overhead kick stunned Slovakia in the 95th minute of their last-16 tie, equalising for England deep into stoppage time after Ivan Shranz’s shock opener.
England had fell behind when Shranz prodded under Jordan Pickford after racing in behind a flat-footed defence and the Three Lions struggled to create clear-cut opportunities during another frustrating night at Euro 2024.
Bellingham, however, continued his dream season with a stunning goal, connecting with a flick on from Kyle Walker’s long throw to acrobatically equalise. It had been a quiet performance from the 21-year-old until that moment, remarkably England’s first shot on target in the tie.
Kane, who scored the extra-time winner after heading home from Ivan Toney’s flick, said Bellingham’s goal was ‘one of the best’.
“That’s right up there. To score that type of goal in that moment to keep our dreams alive is one of the best,” Kane said to BBC Radio 5 Live.
“What a player. Credit to him for being ready in that moment. It wasn’t easy. To score that type of goal in that moment just shows the type of person he is.”
Rice echoed Kane in his praise of Bellingham and congratulated the Real Madrid star for having the bravery to take on the chance.
“It is crazy because if that was me that was going over the bar!” Rice said to BBC Sport.
“It was a big moment for 21-years old, that takes a lot of guts. People don’t understand what you have to go through to get over the line.
“We are not playing against invisible men. They are top footballers, they kept going after us. It is about waiting for those moments as the game got stretched we created more.
“The fans tonight I cannot speak highly enough of them. So grateful they are all here to experience that.”
