Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Gary Rose
- Role, BBC Sport journalist in Germany
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England were seconds away from going out of Euro 2024 but are now preparing for a quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham scored the dramatic equaliser in stoppage time against Slovakia, before captain Harry Kane struck early in extra time.
But while England fans celebrated the exciting nature of the turnaround, those coming out of the Arena AufSchalke last Sunday were talking more of relief than a convincing win.
Gareth Southgate’s side have yet to deliver a convincing victory at the tournament, but what do fans of opposition sides think of the Three Lions?
BBC Sport spoke to supporters from other countries in Germany to find out.
‘They have Bellingham and he can always make the difference’
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The Slovakia game was a tough game for England. I think everyone was expecting they would do better than they did, but in the end they got through and that is what matters.
They have an easy way to the final but that performance wasn’t very promising. Let’s see what happens against Switzerland.
They have Bellingham; he is one of the best players in the world and he can always make the difference. He is England’s Mbappe, so a big asset, but it is also a team game and the team has not played very well.
‘There’s no spark or chemistry’
England are playing terrible football. They can do way better.
I don’t know what they do on the pitch. I think they are lucky they have Jude Bellingham. They have Harry Kane of course but Bellingham is the outstanding player. Without him they would not be in the quarter-finals.
If we faced them, Germany would win. Individually England are very good, but I think there is something missing in their chemistry.
There is just no spark that should be there. As a group there is something missing.
‘I’d be confident if Portugal met England in final’
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I’m a bit disappointed in England. I thought they would be a little better. Jude Bellingham was the star against Slovakia. He rescued the English team. I think that’s the gene from Real Madrid because I support them, but the next game against Switzerland is going to be tough. I think England will win it on penalties.
On if Portugal met England in final:
I would be very confident. I think we can win the whole tournament.
He’s the wrong guy for this job. I think he needs to be kicked off. In a defensive and offensive way, I think it’s the wrong manager for England and there are so many better options.
‘Boring and can be so much more’
England are a little bit boring for the quality they have.
They have a squad worth millions of euros but it feels like they have no ideas or creativity on the pitch.
They are boring but can be so much more. Really, really more.
France have also been boring – they’ve scored two own goals and a penalty only.
Like England they have so much quality but the only player to have shown their quality is N’Golo Kante.
‘They have world-class players, but need to be more offensive’
England have a very good team. However, if Southgate would be a bit more offensive they would be so much better.
They have world-class individuals, one of the top five teams in the world.
They have good players and they would score more goals if they were more offensive and would be much, much better at this tournament.
‘England will likely get to the final’
England have probably underachieved but they have managed to go through ultimately so they have done something right.
They haven’t played very well but they are there – and Scotland are not.
England among favourites?
Not in that form, no. But I think they will likely get to the final because of that side of the draw. We talk about it and I don’t think the Swiss or maybe even the Dutch will be strong enough. You have to fancy Spain or Germany to win the whole competition.
Wouldn’t you fancy England against one of the ‘big dogs’ in the final?
No, I don’t think so. No. They might win it but on current showing they have not been great.
It’s a tough one. Again, you are based on results, not on how you play. He will be judged on results and in that respect he’s done well in previous tournaments and has qualified for the quarter-finals here, albeit he hasn’t got the best out of the players as a team.
It’s difficult for us to say whether he should be replaced or not, but I doubt he will be retained after this.