England star Marc Guehi needed injection and had to play through pain in epic comeback win against Slovakia

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MARC GUEHI needed an injection on a shoulder injury at half-time in England’s win over Slovakia.

The defender played through the pain barrier to help the Three Lions secure a dramatic comeback victory in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

AFP
Marc Guehi needed an injection on a shoulder injury at half-time against Slovakia[/caption]
Getty
The England defender received lengthy treatment before playing through the pain[/caption]

Guehi played the full 90 minutes plus extra-time in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

He also provided the assist for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time equaliser, flicking on a throw-in to the Real Madrid man.

However, Guehi did so despite twisting his shoulder in a tussle with David Strelec during the first half.

The Crystal Palace man received lengthy treatment on the pitch before needing an injection at half-time to continue.

According to the Daily Mail, Guehi would have been a doubt for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland had he not been suspended.

Instead, the Three Lions are hopeful the 23-year-old will be fit for a possible semi-final in Dortmund on July 10.

He has played every minute of England’s campaign so far but is suspended for the last eight after accumulating two yellow cards.

Ezri Konsa is expected to come into the back four to replace Guehi alongside John Stones.

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Discussing the potential of starting against Switzerland, the Aston Villa defender said: “I’m always ready.

“When the gaffer wants to play me, wherever he wants to play, I will step in.”

England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shocker

JUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.

Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.

But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.

Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.

But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.

It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.

Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.

Jordan Pickford: 5

Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.

Kyle Walker: 4

England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.

John Stones: 4

Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.

Marc Guehi: 5

Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.

Kieran Trippier: 4

When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.

Declan Rice: 5

An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.

Kobbie Mainoo: 6

FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.

Bukayo Saka: 5

We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.

Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MAN

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.

Phil Foden: 4

Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.

Harry Kane: 6

Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7

FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.

Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6

Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.

Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7

GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.

Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6

Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.

Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6

Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.

MANAGER

Gareth Southgate: 3.

A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.

Elsewhere, both Stones and Kieran Trippier are expected to be fit for Saturday’s match in Dusseldorf.

Stones left the stadium with strapping on his right knee after the win over Slovakia but said he would be “fine” for the next match.

Meanwhile, Trippier was withdrawn during the second half after picking up a knock from a heavy challenge.


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