Jude Bellingham compares Slovakia overhead kick to legendary Real Madrid goal

  • Jude Bellingham's stunning strike saved England from Euro 2024 elimination
  • Real Madrid star has now scored two goals at the summer tournament
  • Cristiano Ronaldo netted a legendary overhead kick for Los Blancos in 2018
Bellingham saved England from Euro 2024 elimination
Bellingham saved England from Euro 2024 elimination / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Jude Bellingham said he felt like Cristiano Ronaldo when he scored the overhead kick which kept England in Euro 2024.

The Three Lions were on the brink of elimination in the last 16 after falling 1-0 behind to Slovakia and looked uninspired in attack before the Real Madrid icon leapt to acrobatically divert Marc Guehi's flicked header into the back of the net.

Harry Kane completed the comeback at the start of extra-time but it was Bellingham's moment of genius that has captured the nation's attention and kept hopes of a first ever men's European Championship triumph alive.

Former Los Blancos star Ronaldo netted a similar overhead kick against Juventus back in 2018 and Bellingham revealed he saw similarities between the two goals.

He told England’s EURO 2024 Diary Room: "It was really instinct more than anything. It kind of fell in the perfect spot and it was a little bit behind me.

"When I was in the air I thought, 'I'm six feet off the ground and it's like Ronaldo!' But I've watched it back and I still had one hand on the ground, so it wasn't the most acrobatic.

"But it was a nice contact. Definitely one of the most important and memorable moments of my career so far."


TOPSHOT-FBL-EURO-2024-MATCH40-ENG-SVK
Bellingham's overhead kick came in the 95th minute / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/GettyImages

Despite the dramatic victory, England again copped criticism from fans and pundits for another spluttering display and will need to make significant improvements if they are to beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Bellingham added: "Not the most enjoyable way to win a game. Obviously you always want to feel like you are in control and comfortable.

"But you have to find ways to win, even if it means overhead kicks in 90+5. But the difference in emotion is so huge. It's one minute [from] being dead and buried.

"I saw the Slovakian bench and they were all ready to run on. In one moment everything changes.

"But we never stopped believing we would get one more chance and luckily we got it in."


READ THE LATEST EURO 2024 NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS

feed