England's Bellingham tired of listening to rubbish, happy to silence critics

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany : England's Jude Bellingham was not only proud to score a last-gasp bicycle kick equaliser to help rescue his side from Euro 2024 elimination in their last-16 clash with Slovakia but also to silence what he thinks are unjustified critics of the team.

England seemed unable to get a foothold against a relentless Slovakia outfit who took the lead with an Ivan Schranz strike on the counter in the 25th minute, but Bellingham's effort took the match to extra time, with Harry Kane heading home for a 2-1 win.

"In international football, in knockout football, it's even a worse feeling because you're 30 seconds from going home and have to listen to all the rubbish, feeling like you've let a nation of people down," Bellingham told a press conference.

"But in 30 seconds, one kick to the ball and everything can change... It's a feeling that I never want and I don't like to be in. But when it's done, it feels great.

"Playing for England is an enjoyable feeling but it's also a lot of pressure. People talk a lot of rubbish and it's nice that, when you deliver, you can give them a little bit back," the player of the match added in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday

"It's very difficult to come to these press conferences and interviews and talk as openly as footballers want to because we're always judged.

"And, for me, playing football and being on the pitch, scoring goals, celebrating it's how I release, it's maybe a message to a few people."

Bellingham did not think it was his best ever goal but said it was one of his most emotional moments on a pitch. He believed England had "in general a good performance" and was proud of their character when they had their backs against the wall.

"I think in knockout football, when you can