GARETH SOUTHGATE has claimed that Ivan Toney was “disgusted” by the decision to substitute him on so late against Slovakia.
England advanced to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals in the most dramatic fashion possible after forcing extra-time with a 95th minute equaliser.
The Three Lions were 1-0 down and looked destined for an early exit before Jude Bellingham popped up with a moment of magic, scoring a stunning overhead kick to force an extra 30 minutes.
Despite England being desperate for a goal before Bellingham’s spectacular contribution, Southgate had done very little in the way of trying to force the issue with substitutions.
He brought Ivan Toney on in the fourth minute of injury time, with England a goal behind and having just two minutes left on the clock.
Fortunately Bellingham found the back of the net just a minute after Toney’s introduction.
But according to Southgate, the Brentford striker was less than pleased with how late he was being subbed on to make a difference.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, the England boss said: “I had belief that we would get a goal.
“The boys that come on, Ivan Toney plays a big part. I think at the moment I put him on, he was disgusted with me for putting him on at that moment.
“But we were just thinking there was a possibility of just something where his presence might make the difference.”
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Toney certainly did make a difference too.
After England were handed a lifeline by Bellingham’s individual brilliance, Toney helped make sure they took advantage of it.
CHECK out all the best action from England's rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.
A long throw-in in the first minute of extra-time bounced around in the box before the 28-year-old popped up and got his head on the end of it.
His looping header back into the danger zone was attacked by Harry Kane who nodded home to put England 2-1 up, booking their spot in the quarter-finals.
Southgate had explained that he understood Toney’s attitude when speaking to ITV too.
He said: “I think we have made up now. But he has had a big impact in the second goal.
“You put a sub on at that time then it is a last throw of the dice and he maybe does not even touch the ball, so I completely understand it.
“I do not like putting a player in that position but I just had a feeling he might be able to cause the bit of chaos that happened.”
While Toney told ITV that he was well prepared to make a difference when he was given his chance to shine.
He explained: “Obviously I didn’t play in the first three games [of the tournament].
“You have to be ready, you don’t know when your chance is going to come.
“I was in the right place at the right time to flick it to the back post where H [Harry Kane] was.
“We literally spoke about that before the game kicked off, and he put it in the back of the net.”
Southgate’s lions haven’t quite got roaring yet, but they continue to squeeze through and make it count when it matters most.
England will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Dusseldorf.
JUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.
Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.
But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.
Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.
But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.
It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.
Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.
Jordan Pickford: 5
Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.
Kyle Walker: 4
England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.
John Stones: 4
Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.
Marc Guehi: 5
Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.
Kieran Trippier: 4
When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.
Declan Rice: 5
An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.
Bukayo Saka: 5
We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.
Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MAN
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.
Phil Foden: 4
Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.
Harry Kane: 6
Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.
Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.
Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7
GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.
Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6
Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.
Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6
Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.
MANAGER
Gareth Southgate: 3.
A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.
