England avoid shock exit as Spain ease into Euro 2024 quarter-finals

England escaped an embarrassing exit from Euro 2024 on Sunday as they came from behind to beat Slovakia in extra time and reach the quarter-finals, while Spain thrashed Georgia 4-1 to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final showdown with hosts Germany.

A Jude Bellingham overhead kick deep in injury time and a Harry Kane strike early in extra time allowed England to beat Slovakia 2-1 in their last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen.

It was very nearly another ignominious exit for England that would have rivalled their defeat by Iceland at the same stage of Euro 2016.

They fell behind to Ivan Schranz’s 25th-minute goal for Slovakia and were on their way out of the competition as a Phil Foden equaliser was disallowed for offside.

But Bellingham’s moment of inspiration five minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game saved Gareth Southgate’s side, as the Real Madrid star acrobatically turned home Marc Guehi’s flick-on from a throw-in.

Slovakia’s resistance was broken, and England got what proved to be the winner a minute into the extra period.

Substitute Ivan Toney headed Eberechi Eze’s mishit shot back across goal for Kane to power home his second goal of the tournament.

That set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland in Duesseldorf on Saturday.

There was also a scare for Spain in the late game in Cologne, as they fell behind against Georgia when Robin Le Normand put through his own net in the 18th minute.

Germany defeat Denmark to reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals

It was the eighth own goal scored at this year’s competition and the first time Spain had conceded at all after they registered three clean sheets during the group phase.

However, Spain had beaten Willy Sagnol’s Georgia side twice in qualifying, winning 7-1 away and 3-1 at home, and their class ultimately told on a rainy night.

Rodri Hernandez stroked in the equaliser six minutes before half-time, and Fabian Ruiz headed in a Lamine Yamal cross to put Spain ahead in the 51st minute.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had come close to scoring from inside his own half for Georgia just before that, but Ruiz’s goal effectively ended their hopes of causing a monumental upset.

Nico Williams ran from halfway to score a brilliant third goal for Spain in the 75th minute and substitute Dani Olmo wrapped up their victory seven minutes from time.

Luis de la Fuente’s team, who missed a host of chances to win by a greater margin, will now go to Stuttgart for a clash with the host nation on Friday.

That game is also a repeat of the Euro 2008 final which Spain won 1-0 to begin their golden era.

Georgia go home with their heads held high after a memorable first appearance at a major tournament which saw them defeat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to reach the knockout phase.

The last-16 action continues on Monday as France take on Belgium in Duesseldorf before Portugal meet Slovenia in Frankfurt in the late game.

The Star