“You can’t keep getting away with it” - Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker deliver damning verdict on England’s Euro 2024 win vs Slovakia
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have delivered a damning verdict on England's 2-1 win in their Round of 16 clash against Slovakia in Euro 2024. The duo were not pleased with the Three Lions' performance and how close they came to being knocked out of the competition.
A goal in the 25th minute from Ivan Schranz opened the scoring on the night and put Slovakia ahead. Although England dominated for the rest of the match, they failed to register a shot on target until the very end. It took a last-gasp effort from Jude Bellingham in second-half injury time to push the game into extra time.
England overpowered Slovakia immediately after extra time started, as Harry Kane put the ball in the back of the net inside the first minute. The Three Lions saw the game out, securing qualification for the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. However, the win was not a pleasurable one for Lineker and Shearer, who provided a damning assessment.
Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast (via Sport Bible):
"They were so bad, it was untrue. You can’t keep getting away with it. God, it was so stressful watching it, wasn’t it. There was one point where Alan was so exasperated that he got up out [of] his chair."
"He said, 'I need to walk. I need to walk'. And he walked out to the back room there and we suddenly heard from wherever he was, 'AAAAAAAGH!!!' I’m not exaggerating."
Alan Shearer responded:
“It was desperation. It was desperate. They were so bad, it was untrue. I was thinking Iceland - 2016, was it? - 2016 all over again, with much better players. It was that bad. England were offering nothing. Nothing at all. And I just couldn’t see where it was going to come from. And then a piece of brilliance."
Both Shearer and Lineker, who are former England internationals, will be hoping for an improved performance in the Three Lions' next Euro 2024 match against Switzerland.
England superstar Jude Bellingham could face EURO 2024 ban due to unacceptable gesture
Jude Bellingham provided the moment of brilliance with an audacious overhead kick that saved England's blushes in Euro 2024. While walking back after celebrating the goal, the midfielder gestured towards his genitals as he crossed the Slovakia bench.
Bellingham took to social media platform X to explain that the lewd gesture was an inside joke directed towards close friends. However, the UEFA disciplinary committee announced the decision to open an investigation (via Football Espana):
"A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary inspector will carry out a disciplinary investigation into a possible violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by the English Football Association player, Jude Bellingham, allegedly occurring in the framework of this match.”
If found guilty, the Real Madrid midfielder could be suspended for England's quarterfinal clash against Switzerland.