Mainoo's milestone as England go through

Sunday 30 June 2024 19:56

Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw's involvement in Euro 2024 was extended with seconds to spare in Gelsenkirchen, where England had to come from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1.

The Three Lions were staring a shock last-16 exit in the face until Jude Bellingham levelled the score with a brilliant bicycle kick in the fifth of six injury-time minutes. 

England captain Harry Kane then headed in what proved to be the winner, in the first minute of extra time, as Gareth Southgate's side completed what had seemed an unlikely turnaround when they were toiling and trailing for 70 minutes to Ivan Schranz's first-half opener.

Mainoo played for 84 minutes and was an accomplished performer in midfield, as the third-youngest player to start for England in a major tournament knock-out tie. Only Michael Owen, in the 1998 World Cup, and Wayne Rooney, at Euro 2004, were younger, back in their pre-United days.

Shaw was again an unused substitute, despite starting left-back Kieran Trippier coming off with an injury in the second half.

Mainoo was one of England's better players during a difficult first half as Slovakia deservedly took the lead through Schranz.

The United teenager, who replaced Conor Gallagher in Southgate's only change to his starting line-up, knitted together some early attacks with intelligent passes in and around the box. He also had England's two most notable shots before the break. The first was a dipping volley just over the bar when a defensive header dropped invitingly for him; the second was deflected out for a corner in added time at the end of the 45.

Mainoo was unfortunate to be booked in the sixth minute, however, when he trod on the foot of Ondrej Duda. Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi was cautioned even earlier in the contest and will be suspended for the quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham and Slovakia's Juraj Kucka and Milan Skriniar were also shown the yellow card in the first period.

Schranz's goal, his third of Euro 2024, came in the 25th minute when a pass was threaded between Guehi and John Stones and the Slavia Prague winger kept his composure to slot past Jordan Pickford.

England thought they had equalised just five minutes after half-time as Phil Foden tapped home Trippier's low delivery, but a VAR check confirmed the Manchester City forward had strayed offside and the goal was ruled out.

Foden had another chance to score, with a direct free-kick, after Mainoo's menacing run at the heart of Slovakia's defence was halted by a foul at the edge of the penalty area. But the City man's set piece struck the wall and England's frustrations continued.

Shaw, still seeking his first game-time since February, was overlooked for Southgate's first substitution when Trippier was hurt. Cole Palmer came on instead, with Bukayo Saka switching from right wing to left-back. 

Kane headed wide from another Foden free-kick and Declan Rice struck the post with a decent attempt, but Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka - who played twice for the Reds on loan from Newcastle in 2022 - had no shots to save until the game entered stoppage time. 

Despite being one of England's brightest performers, Mainoo was taken off by Southgate in the 84th minute as the manager brought on Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze. But it was Bellingham who produced the vital, acrobatic intervention as Guehi headed on Kyle Walker's long throw and the Three Lions went on to seal the deal, with Kane's header from an Ivan Toney assist, and book a last-eight tie against Switzerland next Saturday.

WHAT NEXT FOR OUR EURO 2024 REDS?

United duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will both hope to feature in Frankfurt on Monday night (20:00 BST) when Portugal take on Slovenia in their last-16 tie. 

Altay Bayindir's Turkey are also chasing a place in the quarter-finals; they will need to beat Austria in Leipzig on Tuesday (20:00 BST) to get there.

England's meeting with Switzerland, in Dusseldorf, will kick off at 17:00 BST on Saturday.

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