Gareth Southgate hails 'character and personality' of England's Euro 2024 saviour Jude Bellingham

Gareth Southgate hailed Jude Bellingham’s “character and personality” after the 21-year-old’s wonder goal spared England’s blushes against Slovakia last night.

With the nation losing hope, Bellingham’s incredible 95th-minute bicycle-kick saved England from a humiliating last-16 exit and helped to set up a Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.

Harry Kane scored the winner in the first minute of extra-time, ensuring England reached the last eight for a fourth successive tournament under Southgate, despite an abject display here in Gelsenkirchen.

Bellingham mouthed “who else?” as he celebrated his equaliser and then appeared to make an obscene gesture towards the Slovakia bench - which he explained as an inside joke with his friends.

Southgate, whose side trailed to Ivan Schranz’s first-half goal, admitted Bellingham’s ability to take the game “by the scruff of the neck” was the difference, but offered a reminder of his youth.

“He was 21 on Saturday and doing unbelievably well,” the manager said. “I understand his world better than most people, his world is different to pretty much any other 21-year-old. He has had an incredible impact on his clubs and his national team already, but he is still young and is going to react to things in a way that young people will.

“But what he can provide is moments where he grabs things by the scruff of the neck, and his character and personality creates moments that can change a big game.

“He’s a great boy and knows we are trying to help him through all of these challenges the different environment of the national team brings.”

Bellingham hit back at England’s critics by claiming he had thrown some of “the rubbish” back at them with his overhead kick.

“Playing for England should be the most proud moment, but often it’s difficult,” he said. “People talk a lot. You do have to take it personally a little bit.”