“Ivan Toney was a bit disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go” : Gareth Southgate
England survived a huge scare in the last 16 of the 2024 Euros, as they defeated Slovakia 2-1 with the help of extra time. The Three Lions left it too late to score an equalizer, as Jude Bellingham pulled off an absolute screamer in the final minute of the added time.
Jude Bellingham scored a brilliant bicycle kick to level the scores in the 96th minute. England captain Harry Kane scored the winner just moments after the restart in the extra time, as the Three Lions march on to the quarterfinals.
As a final throw of the dice, Gareth Southgate brought on Ivan Toney deep into the added time, whilst England were still trailing. The England manager revealed that the striker was not pleased with this decision given that there was only a minute or two yet to play.
“Ivan Toney was a bit disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go and I think we’ve made up now. He’s had a big impact and in the second goal as well. You put a sub on at that time and it is a last throw of the dice and he maybe doesn’t even touch the ball,” said Southgate ,as quoted by Sky Sports.
Gareth Southgate applauds Ivan Toney’s impact
Gareth Southgate applauded Ivan Toney’s impact, which also led to the second goal. The striker assisted Harry Kane’s goal, and showed huge spirit fighting for the second ball in the extra time. He also came close to scoring his first ever major tournament goal in the final minute of the extra time.
“I completely understand it, I don’t like putting players in that position, but I had a feeling he might be able to cause the bit of chaos that happened,” Southgate on Toney.
England will now face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Friday, as the latter knocked out reigning champions Italy. Switzerland have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, much like their opponents in the quarterfinals. They also held Germany to a 1-1 draw in their last league stage game.
England will have to step up their game against a quality opposition in Switzerland. The Three Lions were much more positive and better going forward in the second half. Phil Foden’s goal was disallowed early in the second half, as England kept piling the pressure on Slovakia.
