Jude Bellingham compared his overhead kick against Slovakia to Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic effort versus Juventus – but said his one wasn't as good.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
England beat Slovakia 2-1 in EurosBellingham scores overhead kick Compares it to Ronaldo's iconic effort WHAT HAPPENED?
England looked set to be dumped out of Euro 2024 by Slovakia, only for the Real Madrid man's bicycle kick in the 95th minute to rescue his side and take the tie to extra-time. Harry Kane's header sealed the victory as the Three Lions progressed to the quarter-finals. Bellingham has since said he felt like Los Blancos icon Ronaldo – who scored a remarkable overhead kick for Madrid against Juventus in the Champions League in 2018. However, the 21-year-old felt the veteran's effort was better than his.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT JUDE BELLINGHAM SAID
He told the Diary Room on England's social media channels: "It was really instinct more than anything, it kind of fell in the perfect spot, it was a little bit behind me.
"When I was in the air thought 'My god, I'm like, six feet off the ground, and it's like, (Cristiano) Ronaldo', but I watched it back and I've still got one arm on the floor, so it wasn't the most acrobatic!
"But I think it was a nice contact and when I turned around on the floor and just saw it kind of rolling in, I thought 'Oh my God'; it was definitely one of the most important and memorable moments of my career so far."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Bellingham saved England's blushes, Gareth Southgate's men will have to improve a great deal if they want to progress further in this competition. Bellingham himself had a quiet display until his moment of magic and if they are to beat Switzerland in the last eight the ex-Borussia Dortmund ace will also need to up his level.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Bellingham's England side take on the Swiss at Merkul Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening. If they win that match, they will face either the Netherlands or Austria/Turkey in the semi-finals of the tournament.