SLOVAKIA boss Francesco Calzona revealed what caused his heated scrap with England star Declan Rice at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions avoided a major scare in the Last 16 with a late comeback victory over the Slovaks whom they beat 2-1 at the AufSchalke Arena.
Jude Bellingham equalised at the death with a stunning overhead kick that cancelled out Ivan Schranz’s opener before Harry Kane’s winner during extra time.
After full-time, Calzona, 55, and Rice, 25, got embroiled in an intense confrontation.
The Slovakia boss stormed onto the pitch in a bid to speak to referee Umut Meler but as he approached the official the Arsenal star could be seen gesturing to him not to bother.
The Italian tactician responded by pushing the midfielder, before another member of his coaching staff shoved the England ace away.
A furious Rice then had to be held back by Aaron Ramsdale as other team-mates diffused the situation.
Calzona was asked about the incident later on and claimed he wanted to complain to the referee about England’s “timewasting” that went unpunished.
And the ex-Napoli boss didn’t take kindly to Rice refusing to leave.
Calzona said: “Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave. I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
“But then he apologised and it was all fine.
“I didn’t like the way the England team were wasting time was not punished.”
England are now set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 6.
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
