CLUTCH

Picture credit: CNN/Reuters

It was a game that encompassed why we both love and hate football.

For 94 minutes I hated it. I stewed into my beer, growled at every missed placed pass and grew frustrated that Slovakia were so comfortable.

As the minutes ticked by, I was more interested in my phone, joining in with the collective grief and the lack of faith that had set in amongst England supporters.

Why is a team packed full of talent playing so badly? Why isn’t Gareth Southgate making changes and why are we so determined to throw away another golden opportunity?

Then, on the 95th minute, with 30 seconds left, something unexpected happened that reminded us of why we love the beautiful game.

Kyle Walker launched a desperate long throw that was flicked on by Marc Guéhi.

The ball was behind Jude Bellingham, but in a moment of individual brilliance, he managed to leap into the air and deliver a perfect overhead kick.

The ball snuck inside the right-hand post and sent the country into pandemonium.

A last-minute goal that was sent from the gods, saved some blushes, saved a job but ultimately got you off your seat and made you believe again.

Underserved? Definitely.

But it doesn’t matter. Teams rely on their best players in knockout football and Bellingham provided England’s clutch moment.

The momentum had shifted as extra time began and any fears of a potential penalty shootout were quickly eased by England’s first attack.

Cole Palmer’s whipped free kick was punched out by Martin Dúbravka. It fell to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

His scuffed shot found Ivan Toney, who reacted quickly enough to head the ball towards the six-yard box.

Then, Harry Kane finally broke free of Denis Vavro and thundered his header into the back of the net.

English limbs filled the Gelsenkirchen air once again. My pint survived the celebration in my front room, but I doubt the same could be said for those watching in pubs across the land.

Despite Southgate’s substitutions becoming far too late in normal time, they worked.

And Kane - so often criticised during group stage football - had provided another clutch moment in the knockout rounds.

For a small period, there was no negativity. The smartphone stayed on the table, and we were suddenly in awe of the drama that had changed this match in an instant.

Of course, it didn’t last long.

England invited pressure once more and any hope of finishing the Slovakians off was replaced by another anxiety-ridden 15 minutes before the final whistle blew.

There will be time in the coming days for another post-mortem into performance related issues before England meet Switzerland in Düsseldorf.

But in the years to come nobody is going to remember 115 minutes of a match that was mostly viewed through prism of social media.

It will be remembered by Bellingham’s exquisite equaliser and a reminder that football is still capable of surprises when all hope is gone.