Southgate Highlights Kane and Bellingham’s Key Roles as He Advocates for Strategic Patience in Team Adjustments
On a brisk Sunday, Jude Bellingham turned savior for England, swiftly followed by Harry Kane clinching their spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Bellingham worked his magic in the nick of time, delivering a spectacular overhead kick at 94 minutes. This kept England’s ambitions for Euro 2024 afloat.
Just when extra time commenced, Captain Kane netted a header, propelling England to a narrow 2-1 triumph over Slovakia. They’re now set to face Switzerland in the last eight.
Despite previous criticism for not substituting players sooner, Southgate maintained that the late-game heroics vindicated his strategy.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Southgate highlighted Bellingham’s endurance and knack for momentous plays, shared with Kane, as the reason behind his tactical choices.
Setting a record, Bellingham’s goal became the latest ever scored by England in the Euros—timed at 94 minutes and 34 seconds.
England had struggled initially, failing to hit the target until those crucial moments.
Nonetheless, Southgate sensed a shift imminent, especially after Foden’s goal got disallowed and Rice hit the post.
“I always felt the game had life in it,” Southgate mused, emphasizing the shift in momentum fetched by Bellingham’s equalizer.
Kane, marking his 14th major tournament goal, stands among the top European scorers.
Southgate praised Kane’s exceptional leadership and ability to steer his team through challenging waters.
Now facing Switzerland, this upcoming quarter-final in Dusseldorf marks Southgate’s 100th as England’s manager. Yet, he played down the milestone, focusing instead on the character shown and the tasks ahead.
“Getting to a quarter-final isn’t our peak; last night’s win was crucial, and now we prepare for a formidable Swiss side,” he added.
