Euro 2024 Diary: Genius in Gelsenkirchen

To witness Jude Bellingham's astonishing goal was to watch greatness in action

Happy Montag!

It certainly is among England fans here in Germany after Sunday evening’s relentless drama in Gelsenkirchen.

To be at the AufSchalke Arena last night was to witness greatness.

PICTURE: Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring *that* goal. CREDIT: Jude Bellingham instagram

Ok, not for the first 94 minutes and 35 seconds. Obviously.

Although I was impressed by the dogged flair that Ivan Schranz showed when slotting past Jordan Pickford with the outside of his boot to put the Slovakia 1-0 ahead on 25 minutes, following a superb through ball by the dangerous David Strelec.

No, as the clock ticked down into the 95th, I had already written my first intro for my match report, and an equally damming tweet to go on the whistle.

The intro was something along the lines of Gareth Southgate having to go after such a disappointing defeat, amid such an underwhelming tournament, because, despite being such an emotionally intelligent man, he was unable to get the best out of such a talented collection of individuals as a coach.

I can’t recall exactly, because on 94 minutes and 35 seconds I deleted the ghost intro from existence, immediately embarking on what is known in the trade as a ‘rewrite’.

(You can read my official match report from the AufSchalke Arena press box further down so I won’t go into the details here)

Suffice to say to witness such a goal, at such a late stage, scored in such a manner, was to witness greatness.

………

I’ve been fortunate to witness many memorable England moments in the flesh over the years.

Lineker and Beardsley as the best strike partnership I’ve seen in England colours. Michael Owen’s emergence to become European Footballer of the Year, which included being behind the goal (under the scoreboard) in Munich on that unforgettable night we beat Germany 5-1 back in 2001.

I also saw David Beckham’s free-kick vs Greece at Old Trafford that same year in the best individual performance I’ve seen by an England player.

Ditto being in steamy Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido the night David Beckham scored the penalty that beat Argentina at the 2002 World Cup in Japan. I attended all five England matches during that memorable but gruelling month.

I also spent three and a half weeks following England at Euro 2004 (an antidote to being at Euro 2000) captivated, watching the teenage marauding bull that was Wayne Rooney destroy teams in Portugal, in a tournament I thought we were destined to win. (Must have been something about that year as I am still convinced that 2004 was the year Arsenal should have won the Champions League. But what do I know…)

Being at the final of Euro 2020 was memorable - but for all the wrong reasons, while I boycotted the Qatar World Cup so can’t comment on that one.

However, despite more than four decades of attending England games all around the world as a fan, and later, as a journalist, and of course, like all of us, watching on telly when life dictates you simply can’t make a match, near or far, Bellingham’s goal was up there with the finest moment of skill I’ve ever seen in the flesh, for any team in any match, not just England.

And I’ve seen Maradona and Messi, Platini and Zidane play in the flesh.

Given what had come before, given the match situation, given the sheer spontaneity and joy in what Bellingham did - assessed, actioned and executed - you have to say it was an incredible moment for the ages.

Slightly annoyed by two booming Slovakian journalists sat next to me, who broke all kinds of press box etiquette - not least when standing up and applauding and shouting encouragement at late substitutes intended to run the clock down, I couldn’t help myself shouting “F****** get in” when Bellingham’s stunning bicycle kick went in.

I take no pride in that. But I do really.

Because I’d just seen greatness.

……….

I would love to continue to regale/bore/waste your time (delete as applicable) you with my experiences yesterday, but time is getting on and I have to cover France vs Belgium here in Dusseldorf and I need to do a spot of research, so I’ll leave you with a few of my tweets.

Suffice to say stumbling over Schalke’s old ground was utterly wonderful for a stadium nerd like me.

………

DAILY DIARY

I - Despite being absolutely drained after such an incredible finale last night, and being on the road for the best part of two weeks, I have to get to Dusseldoft Arena to cover France vs Belgium later today. Luckily I am already in Dusseldorf after a late night tram from the stadium to Gelsenkirchen Hauptbanhof before a late night train to a rainy Dusseldorf, finally getting back around 2am.

II - Get a heavily discounted train ticket from Dusselfdorf to Leipzig in eastern Germany for tomorrow as I’ll be reporting on Austria vs Leipzig

III - Listen to as many different cover versions of Hey Jude as I can. My favourite so far is by Elvis. Although the task has been made much more difficult after I somehow lost my AirPods at some stage last night.

…….

DID YOU KNOW:

Hey Jude, released as a single in 1968, was originally called, "Hey Jules," but Paul McCartney changed it to "Hey Jude," he said in "Paul McCartney: The Lyrics," published in 2021, "because I thought that was a bit less specific."

"Jude" came from the character "Jud" in the musical "Oklahoma," McCartney wrote.

………..

PS:

Here’s my official England vs Slovakia Morning Star newspaper match report

England 2–1 Slovakia (aet): Report by Layth Yousif at AufSchalke Arena

The clock showed 94 minutes and 35 seconds when Jude Bellingham’s astonishing virtuosity blazed brightly to erase England’s previously maudlin and insipid brushstrokes.

In a dazzlingly creative moment for the ages, Bellingham’s outstanding last-gasp overhead kick levelled the match, finally igniting the Three Lions Euro 2024 challenge after two long weeks here in Germany. 

On a remarkable Sunday evening in Gelsenkirchen, Bellingham’s extraordinary 95th minute overhead kick ensured the managerial obituaries for Gareth Southgate’s were put on hold. 

With only seconds of injury time remaining, the world class Real Madrid midfielder’s stunningly athletic saviour levelled Slovakia’s first half opener by Ivan Schranz.

The outstanding late strike broke Slovak hearts in the process, allowing Harry Kane to apply the killer blow with his emphatic header early in extra time. 

The goals sparked incredible scenes at the AufSchalke Arena, by sending the tens of thousands of England fans in attendance into unbridled raptures - and no doubt millions watching back home too.

Southgate’s side now face Switzerland with a place in the last four at stake should they win Saturday’s quarter-final clash in Dusseldorf.

Speaking about Bellliingham's masterful intervention after the match, Southgate - whose job is safe for now for surely defeat would have signalled the end of his increasingly beleaguered tenure - said: "He’s had an incredible impact even though he is only a young man. 

"He will say things and react to things like a young man will, but can create moments that change big games and that’s what he has done here.”

A rousing rendition of God Save The King boomed out before kick-off from the England support who formed the majority of fans at this stadium.

It was up to Southgate’s side to give a performance worthy of their outstanding support.

As expected, England boss Southgate made one change from the starting XI that underwhelmed during the goalless draw against Slovenia.

Kobbie Mainoo replaced Conor Gallagher from the disappointing draw in Cologne, albeit a stalemate that saw the Three Lions qualify top of Group C, unbeaten in three matches, that set up Sunday’s clash with Slovakia.

An early yellow card was handed to Marc Guehi by Turkish referee Umut Meler after the Crystal Palace defender was sold short by Kieran Trippier’s pass, leaving the centre-back tangling with Slovakia’s No18 David Strelec – meaning Guehi will now miss the Swiss game.

Moments later, Strelec caused alarm when he fired low across the face of Jordan Pickford’s goal.

In a lively opening, Bukayo Saka created space at the other end shortly afterwards, as England attempted to push forward. Amongst it all, Mainoo also received a yellow card for a foul on Ondrej Duda.

It was Juraj Kucka’s turn to pick up a yellow card next, for fouling Trippier as England looked to break. The caution coming after Lukas Haraslin got in behind the England right channel prior to shooting – which saw Guehi throw himself in front of the ball to block in a hectic opening. 

It was Bellingham’s turn to be booked after only 17 minutes, for hacking Lukas Haraslin as both sides attempted to assert their dominance, but all one could note at that worrying stage was a loss of control.

Yet, it was plain to see Southgate’s England were struggling defensively, and offensively, against the Slovaks – and with three bookings on their charge sheet already in under 20 minutes for good measure.

The pressure – and Slovakian creativity – were eventually to make their mark, when Schranz slotted past Jordan Pickford with the outside of his boot to put the Slovaks 1-0 ahead on 25 minutes, following a superb through ball by the dangerous Strelec.

You couldn’t say Southgate’s England weren’t given due warning about the dangerous threat this Slovakian team possessed.

Not when Schranz also scored the winner against Belgium in the group stage, with his Gelsenkirchen goal making it three goals for the tournament, as Slovakia maintained their record of scoring first in every game so far, with all those goals also coming before the break.

No wonder their delighted fans cheered at the half time whistle – while the England support booed, once again, following another underwhelming opening 45 minutes here in Germany.

As the half time whistle blew, England knew they required a far better performance in order to stay in this competition - for the first time in this tournament.

They also owed it to themselves, to their manager, and to the fans.

Would it happen? If it didn’t you could be sure Gelsenkirchen would be Southgate’s final game in charge of this England.

As if to underline Southgate’s luck – or lack of it – when Phil Foden was rightly flagged offside, five minutes after the break. 

What was impressive was that the information was shared to the crowd via the big screens that hung above the pitch. Perhaps something for the Premier League to look into for next season.

Five minutes later, the always-dangerous Strelec pounced on a loose pass in the middle, and from just inside the England half attempted an outrageous long-range effort that at one stage appeared to be heading into the net, before losing legs and fading, to drift narrowly wide of the target – in what was a big escape for England.

Cole Palmer came on, Trippier exited, and Saka went to left-back for a spell, but as the clock ticked down, memories of the Iceland debacle at Euro 2016 loomed large.

England pushed forward, but just couldn’t find a way through the redoubtable Slovak backline.

And when, on the rare occasion a cross from Foden entered the box, hitherto anonymous skipper Kane headed wide. 

With nine minutes to go, Declan Rice hit the woodwork with a long drive, before Kane volleyed over the rebound from a difficult angle. 

Just as you expected the final whistle would blow, England won a throw deep along the line – providing one final set piece ball to save their tournament - and Southgate’s job.

And so it was to prove. 

Walker’s long throw was flicked on by Guehi as Bellingham lurked in a crowded box.

Amid the noise, the pressure and the tired bodies, in a split second, Bellingham, who only turned 21 a day earlier, assessed the best way to score from that unpromising situation was to perform an overhead kick.

Which is precisely what the La Liga and Champions League winner did.

Connecting perfectly with the aerial ball – no shin for Jude – to see the ball evade Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka and fly into the net.

Cue utter pandemonium in the stadium.

Players ran here, there and everywhere in shock as much as celebration, while Slovakia players slumped to the ground, unable or unwilling to comprehend, to accept that such a spectacular goal, such a late, spectacular goal was to deny them their first quarter-final as a nation. 

In scoring a goal that will surely already go down as one of the most memorable moments in England’s international football history, Bellingham, also became the youngest player to score for England in a Euro knockout match – beating the previous youngest – a certain Michael Owen.

Slovakia looked broken as they kicked off.

Five seconds later, they were broken, when referee Meler blew the whistle after nearly 96 minutes. 

Worse was to come for Slovakia, brave but psychologically beaten Slovakia,

A minute into extra time, channelling their momentum, harnessing the longed-for exuberance that this team finally generated, Kane headed home following a mishit shot by Eberechi Eze, as fans doubled down on manic celebrations that had only just died down.

Credit had to go to substitute Ivan Toney, who guided the ball to the Three Lions captain, who made no mistake - as England fans around the press box and all around the ground erupted in deep joy at the notion of being 2-1 ahead.

Such are the utter vagaries of sport.

England were seconds away from an embarrassing round of 16 defeat – with the hapless Southgate moments away from surely losing his job amid rancour and acrimony - yet his Three Lions are now looking forward to a quarter-final clash against Switzerland.

Football. Bloody hell.