Jude Bellingham drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo after his spectacular overhead kick in Euro 2024 sent England into extra-time during their knockout match against Slovakia.
On the verge of elimination, the Three Lions rebounded when Bellingham netted a last-gasp equalizer in the 95th minute.
Shortly afterward, Harry Kane clinched the game by scoring early in extra time. He later hailed Bellingham’s goal as one of the finest in England’s storied football legacy.
Reflecting on his airborne feat, Bellingham confessed he felt a kinship with Ronaldo, recalling the legendary striker’s unforgettable bicycle kick for Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League.
“Pure instinct took over,” Bellingham remarked during a chat on England’s ‘Diary Room’ show. “The ball just dropped perfectly, albeit slightly behind.”
“Mid-air, I really thought I was channeling Ronaldo! Watching the replay, I noticed I still had one hand grounded, so it wasn’t as flashy as his.”
“Still, the connection was sweet. Definitely a highlight and a pivotal moment in my career,” he added.
Until Bellingham’s dramatic goal, the match echoed England’s disastrous exit to Iceland in Euro 2016, with the team struggling to find the net.
The player from Madrid acknowledged how narrowly they avoided defeat, praising the squad’s resilience.
“Winning that way isn’t always a joyride,” he admitted. “You always want to dominate and control the game, but sometimes you have to snag victory, even if it means pulling off last-minute heroics.”
“One moment we were nearly out, seeing the Slovakian bench ready to celebrate. It was quite gutting,” he said. “But then, the atmosphere shifted. We kept the faith, and fortune favored us with another opportunity which we grasped.”
Next, England faces Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Success there could set up a semi-final duel with either the Netherlands or Turkiye.
