England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Ivan Toney was ‘disgusted’ by his decision to send him on in the dying stages of normal time during the Three Lions’ 2-1 Euro 2024 win over Slovakia on Sunday.
Southgate’s side looked set to exit the competition after Ivan Schranz struck in the 25th minute of the match.
It didn’t appear as though it would be England’s day, with Phil Foden seeing a goal chalked off for offside – and Declan Rice hitting the post.
However, a sensational bicycle kick from Jude Bellingham forced extra-time – with Harry Kane then scoring a header to send England through.
England boss Gareth Southgate has admitted Ivan Toney was ‘disgusted’ by his decision to send him on in the dying stages of normal time during the Three Lions’ 2-1 Euro 2024 win over Slovakia on Saturday.
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While Kane and Bellingham will steal the headlines, Toney made a big impact off the bench.
The Brentford striker provided the assist for Kane’s winner, flicking the ball on and causing problems inside the Slovakia box.
Toney was put on with just two minutes of the contest remaining.
And Southgate has admitted the forward was ‘disgusted’ by his decision to send him on so late in the day.
“We lose Marc Guehi for the next game and we have a few days to recover as that has taken everything, but what a lift for the players,” he told BBC Sport.
“I had belief we would get a goal.
“The boys that came on, Ivan (Toney) played a big part – he was disgusted at me putting him on at that moment (94th minute when England trailed 1-0).”
Another decision that caused intrigue was putting Bukayo Saka at left-back.
A right-winger these days, the Arsenal star had said before the game that he didn’t want to play in that position.
However, Saka accepted his new role without any fuss after Kieran Trippier was forced out of the contest through injury.
And Southgate shed light on that decision, with the 53-year-old explaining his call by saying: “We felt that Bukayo [Saka] at left-back gave us an extra attacking outlet.
“It is a good option to have.
“I have to say the courage shown by the players was fantastic tonight.”
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England star Ivan Toney made a big impact off the bench during his side’s 2-1 Euro 2024 win over Slovakia on Sunday
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Kane, meanwhile, believes the victory is up there with the best of his career – with the Bayern Munich hitman delighted at sending his country through.
“It’s one of my better wins in my career, feelings wise for sure,” he told UEFA. “What a crazy set of emotions.
“To get on the scoresheet was obviously fantastic.
“An amazing feeling and hopefully we can use this energy in the quarter-finals now.
“We’re a team that’s prepared to go all the way to win. That’s what we needed.
England star Harry Kane sparked wild celebrations with his dramatic winner against Slovakia on Sunday
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“Was it our best performance? No. But we kept going and creating chances.
“There’s a lot of things that go into tournament football. We want to play better and play nice football.
“Jude Bellingham loves the big moments and stepping up. If it wasn’t going to fall to me I was hoping it would fall to Jude.
“He’s got a lot more flexibility than me.”