Gary Neville Highlights Gareth Southgate’s ‘Illegal’ England Selection Against Slovakia

Gary Neville urged Gareth Southgate to “rip up the script” after England went into half-time 1-0 down against Slovakia in the Euro 2024 last-16, claiming Trent Alexander-Arnold’s start on the bench was “illegal”.
Neville suggested introducing Liverpool’s right back alongside Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer and urged Southgate to “intervene” to save England’s chances. However, no changes were made at halftime.
Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal saved Southgate’s England from an embarrassing last-16 exit, as the Euro 2024 hopefuls rallied to win 2-1 in extra time.
A summer that promised so much appeared to end in heartbreak and humiliation for a team that came within a penalty shootout of winning the previous edition three years before.
Ivan Schranz put wily, well-drilled Slovakia on track for their biggest win as an independent country, only for Bellingham to leave jaws on the floor and disbelieving players on the deck in Gelsenkirchen.The
A midfielder’s overhead kick five minutes into stoppage time forced extra time, and captain Harry Kane’s header saw Southgate’s side through this difficult last-16 clash.
Switzerland awaits in the quarter-finals on Saturday, and England will look to build on the spirit shown near the end of a match that appeared to be headed for a result similar to Iceland’s at Euro 2016.
England was booed by their fans in the Euro 2024 last-16 tie against Slovakia after falling behind in Gelsenkirchen. Southgate made only one change to the team that drew 0-0 with Slovenia to round off the group stages, with Kobbie Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield.
However, it was largely the same for England, as another disappointing performance threatened their chances of winning the Euros. Southgate’s team fell behind Schranz’s goal midway through the first half, as England’s defence splintered and was split down the middle.
The Three Lions also struggled offensively, appearing slow in possession once more. The crowd booed as England passed the ball around the back. Southgate’s side also failed to register a shot on goal, with Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Bellingham failing to connect in attack.
“This has got Iceland vibes written all over it; he is got to intervene, rip up the script,” Neville stated. “He has to twist, one, two substitutes: Palmer, Trent, and Gordon… “He has to change the entire narrative.”
Alexander-Arnold started England’s first game against Serbia but was replaced by Gallagher early in the second half of their second game against Denmark.
“It is illegal for him not to play in this England game today,” Neville said. “He is the best right-back we have seen in the country. He needs to be on the pitch.”
England continued to press for a leveller, which should have arrived in the 78th minute, but Kane somehow managed to head Foden’s free-kick wide.
Declan Rice hit a post from 25 yards three minutes later as the Euro 2020 runners-up pushed for an equaliser that appeared to elude them as the game entered six minutes of stoppage time.
However, in the fifth, a moment of magic caused chaos.
Guehi held his ground under pressure and flicked on a throw-in, which Bellingham converted with a brilliant overhead kick past Martin Dubravka.
The goal propelled England out of jail and into extra time, which was only a minute old when they took the lead.
Eberechi Eze’s shot into the ground was well-headed on by fellow substitute Ivan Toney, and Kane nodded home at the far post in front of the England section.
Southgate’s team dropped back after scoring and dug in, exhausted. Slovakia attempted to equalise, with Peter Pekarik threatening from close range shortly before the break.
England’s goal scorers were substituted, and Slovakia was unable to equalise, with ‘Sweet Caroline’ and sweet relief heard at the final whistle.

#Independent