# | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group A | |||||||||
1
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
2
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
3
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | |
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 | |
Group B | |||||||||
1
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 9 | |
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
3
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 2 | |
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 | |
Group C | |||||||||
1
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
2
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
2
|
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
4
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 | |
Group D | |||||||||
1
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
2
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 | |
Group E | |||||||||
1
|
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
2
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
3
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
4
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 | |
Group F | |||||||||
1
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 | |
2
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | |
3
|
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
4
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
But this is all we've for the RO16 clash between England and Slovakia. It's me, Sayantan Guha, signing off. Do tune in a few minutes, for the next encounter.
Bellingham struck late, and then Harry Kane struck early in extra time to complete the comeback for the Three Lions, on a night where Gareth Southgate would be more relieved than ecstatic. But ultimately England ground through the thirty minutes and set up a date with Switzerland in the quarter-final.
An inviting cross on the far post and Pekarik had timed his run to perfection. However, the full-back fires over the crossbar from a close range.
They didn't need 30 minutes. They needed just one. And England are ahead through Harry Kane. Absolute heartbreak for Slovakia here.
Thirty more minutes for England to pull ahead.
He dons that Real Madrid shirt with pride, so you wouldn't be surprised to see him defy the odds, defy time, and defy logic. Out of the absolute despair, Bellingham carries England into at least momentary euphoria with a spectacular back volley to restore parity and give England 30 more minutes to keep their hopes alive.
Kobbie Mainoo makes way for Eberechi Eze. Still no signs of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who's known to have the ability to pick rigid defenses.
That was close. Agonizingly close. Declan Rice swivels outside the opposition box, creates a room for a hack, and whips a vicious effort towards Dubravka's net. The ball dips in front of Dubravka, and thumps into the upright, with Slovakia letting out a sigh of relief, not before Kane's acrobatic effort from the rebound bounes over the post.
Foden's inch-perfect delivery from the freekick finds Harry Kane unmarked inside the area, but he heads it wide from point blank range.
Cole Palmer comes on for the limping Trippier. Saka is expected to push to the left-back position.
Kyle Walker is brought down near the half-way line, and England tries to take a quick freekick. However, the pass is misplaced and Strelec pounces on the loose ball. With Pickford out of position, he goes for a speculative attempt from just inside the England half, however, the ball drifts inches wide of the target.
That could've been nights out for Southgate's men.
Foden fails to time his run and the VAR deems him offside. It's a shame. It was too glorious an opportunity to squander with an ill-timed run. The Manchester City attacker had all the time in the world to keep his run in check.
But England will take plenty of positives from the move.
England are back in it early in the second half. Trippier makes a darting run down the left flank, and the full-back pushes the ball for Phil Foden and the Manchester City calmly tucks it home.
England get the ball rolling, and there's no changes for either sides.
However, Slovakia have brought fiersome intent, and Schranz provided the telling touch or rather a symphony of it in the 25th minute. Frustation has continued to set in for the Three Lions, but Southgate will have 45 minutes and a little more to right all the wrongs.
This marks his third goal of the tournament.
Slovakia were breathing fire, and it has burned away England's resilience defense. It's Ivan Schranz who toe-pokes the ball past Pickford.
The ball is set rolling.
The pre-match ramble is out of the way. The players are out in the middle, and we're set to witness the hair-raising national anthems.
Slovakia: DLWWWD
Slovakia are unchanged, while England have made the expected change. Kobbie Mainoo walks into the starting lineup, replacing Connor Gallagher.
Having already caused an upset with a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Group E, Slovakia are no strangers to defying odds. Francesco Calzona's side are now dreaming of reaching the last eight at a major tournament for the first time since the country became independent in 1993. A tense draw against Romania on Matchday 3 sealed their progress.
Although England did not play at their highest level, they still comfortably topped Group C, remaining unbeaten against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia. Coach Gareth Southgate seems to be finding the best way to utilize the immensely talented group of players he has. The Three Lions will be confident of making it to a fourth consecutive major international quarter-final, especially since they beat Germany at this stage at EURO 2020.
Star-studded England lock horns against impregnable Slovakia eyeing continental history. For the Three Lions, it will be another quarter-final, but for Slovakia, it would be their first in the history. At Gelsenkirchen, expect a battle tonight, a battle for history, a battle for glory, and albeit a battle for a bit of bragging rights.
Let me, Sayantan Guha, your commentator for the night, take you through what promises to be an enthralling encounter.