- England came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 and reach the quarter-finals
- Ivan Toney was brought on in the 94th minute with England trailing 1-0
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Rallying cry from England fans – why it’s time to back Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has joked that Ivan Toney was ‘disgusted’ with his decision to bring him on in the 94th minute of Sunday’s dramatic victory over Slovakia.
Eyebrows were raised when the Brentford striker was brought on with just two minutes of injury time remaining with his side trailing 1-0.
However, Jude Bellingham made it 1-1 with a bicycle kick in the 95th minute before Toney teed up Harry Kane to head home the winner in extra-time.
‘There’s no question that Ivan Toney was pretty disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go,’ said the England boss after the game.
‘I think we’ve made up now! He had a big impact, with the second goal as well. I think if you put a sub on at that time, it’s a last throw of the dice. He maybe doesn’t even touch the ball.
‘I completely understand it. I don’t like putting a player in that position, but I just had a feeling that he might have been able to cause a bit of chaos.’
‘I had a funny feeling the game wasn’t dead and I know that sounds ridiculous,’ added Southgate. ‘We were pushing and probing. Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal.
‘I’m so proud of the players and the spirit the lads showed. Everybody we put into the game played a part and helped us get over the line. They are all pushing and helping each other and tonight. That made the difference.
‘Under that pressure they kept probing. In the end it is the old fashioned long throw that gets the goal. Those moments can happen when you keep wearing a team down.’
Southgate also hinted that England could set up differently in their next match at Euro 2024 after adopting a different approach in the latter stages of Sunday’s dramatic win over Slovakia.
England changed their shape after Kane’s goal, moving to a back three with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze as wing-backs.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice made up a midfield three with both Ivan Toney and Kane up top.
Asked if this could be the way forward for his side, Southgate said: ‘we’ll see’.