Jude Bellingham's 95th-minute equaliser saved England's blushes as they edged past Slovakia on Sunday, with a long-throw routine seemingly paying off.
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- England win 2-1 in extra-time over Slovakia
- Bellingham scores from long throw in 95th minute
- Kane reveals England trained for the tactic
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Bellingham's spectacular bicycle kick equaliser came from a long throw-in by Kyle Walker from the right flank of England's attack. England captain, Harry Kane, has now revealed that the long throw-ins were something that the Three Lions had actually practised specifically during training, with Gareth Southgate also having noted that the throws created a lot of chaos in Slovakia's box.
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WHAT KANE SAID
Speaking to the media after the game, Kane said: "We work on so many details throughout the week. We put in a long throw late, a couple of days ago, thinking we might need it. Be prepared for anything, and then Jude does what Jude does and what an unbelievable goal – he's kept our tournament alive."
On the Real Madrid star's goal, he went on to add: "Jude Bellingham's is [one] of the best in our country’s history. What a player he is. He works so hard. In the big moments, he steps up. He did that today.
"In this competition, you have to find a way to win. This team knows how to dig deep. We could have played better. But ultimately it’s a results business. Hopefully, we can take that momentum further."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
It was Kane's goal in the first minute of extra-time that turned out to be the match-winner as England scraped through despite a late Slovakian barrage on Jordan Pickford's goal. However, Southgate will have a lot to mull over after yet another poor display on the field against an opposition that should not have posed as much of a threat to England as they did.
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WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?
The 30-year-old striker will now lead England in a quarter-final clash against an in-form Switzerland side on Saturday, July 6, at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.