ANATOMY OF JUDE BELLINGHAM’S BICYCLE KICK – AND WHERE IT RANKS AMONG ENGLAND’S GREATEST GOALS
England were hurtling towards Euro 2024 elimination and the end of the Gareth Southgate era when Jude Bellingham decided to intervene as only the special players can.
Bellingham scored an overhead kick in the 95th minute against Slovakia, sparing England defeat and sending the last-16 tie to extra time, before Harry Kane found the winner.
The result sends England through to a quarter-final against Switzerland, but they would have been on the plane home but for Bellingham’s moment of inspiration.
This is how he did it, and where it stands among the national team’s greatest goals.
Marc Guehi’s flick-on
With England in desperate need of a goal in the 95th minute to avoid a humiliating tournament exit, Kyle Walker hurled a long throw into the penalty area. Unlike so many second-half crosses, Slovakia failed to win the first header, with Guehi glancing the ball on at the near post. The role of the Crystal Palace defender, who will miss the quarter-final because of suspension after picking up a yellow card, should not be forgotten.
Bellingham spots the opportunity
There are very few players who would have had the bottle to try such a difficult technique in this situation, let alone execute it to perfection. There is a split-second when the ball is arcing through the air when Bellingham, perhaps through sheer instinct, decides he is going for the bicycle kick. He starts to wind up with his eyes fixed on the ball.
The moment of contact
The quality of Bellingham’s strike was ultimately the difference between England staying in Germany for at least another week or flying home. Unlike some famous overhead kicks, such as Wayne Rooney’s against Manchester City, this was a clean contact off Bellingham’s laces.
The ball evaded Slovakia defender Denis Vavro by flying into the corner, wrong-footing the goalkeeper who had shifted his weight to the other side.
Cue the celebrations...
England celebrated the only way a football team know how in the circumstances: running after the goalscorer as they try to compute what they have just seen. Well aware of the reaction and recrimination that would have followed, this was pure relief.
Once Kane and Bellingham had gathered themselves a touch, they both performed Bellingham’s trademark celebration with arms outstretched.
Bellingham then returned the favour by doing Kane’s usual celebration after he scored early in extra time.
There was desolation for Slovakia fans behind the goal, who stood with hands on head after the ball hit the net. England fans found themselves striking similar poses throughout the contest, but they live to fight another day.
Where it ranks in England’s greatest tournament goals
Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp overhead-kick equaliser against Slovakia was one of the great England goals at a major tournament when it comes to skill and significance.
Here is where it ranks in Telegraph Sport’s all-time list:
5. David Platt vs Belgium, 1990 World Cup
Great goals deserve great commentary and John Motson duly obliged for Platt’s gorgeous swivelled volley from Paul Gascogine’s free-kick to win this last-16 tie. “England have done it – in the last minute of extra time!” screeched a euphoric Motson. The goal made Platt’s career but, more importantly, ignited England’s best World Cup campaign since 1966 as they went on to beat Cameroon before cruelly losing to West Germany on penalties.
4. Bobby Charlton vs Mexico, 1966 World Cup
England’s home World Cup had got off to a dispiriting start with a goalless draw against Uruguay. They needed some inspiration and their talisman duly provided it in the next game against Mexico. Picking the ball up in midfield, Charlton balletically carried it forward to the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner. The rest is history.
3. Jude Bellingham vs Slovakia, Euro 2024
“Who else?” Bellingham yelled to the crowd after rescuing England from one of their worst ever defeats. They were seconds from being dumped out of the Euros by Slovakia when Marc Guehi flicked on a throw-in and Bellingham timed his overhead kick to perfection. Harry Kane then sealed a comeback as England won an away knockout game at a Euros for only the second time.
2. Michael Owen vs Argentina, 1998 World Cup
David Beckham was sent off and England went out on penalties but this will also forever be remembered as the game that made Michael Owen a superstar. Owen was in the centre circle when he latched onto Beckham’s pass but there was no sign of what was to come as he left Argentina’s defenders for dead before finding the top corner.
1. Paul Gascoigne vs Scotland, Euro 96
Similar to 1966, England had failed to impress in their opening Euros game, against Switzerland, and looked to be heading for another draw when Scotland were awarded a penalty. But David Seaman saved from Gary McAllister and seconds later Gascoigne was flicking the ball over Colin Hendry’s head with his left foot before volleying in with his right. Cue the dentist’s chair celebration, a 4-1 thrashing of the Netherlands, Football’s Coming Home, and another oh-so-near.