England failed to convince yet again as they survived an almighty scare against Slovakia at Euro 2024 to progress to the quarter-finals in Germany.
The Three Lions barely landed a punch in the opening half, despite boasting the majority of possession in Gelsenkirchen.
A brilliant block by Marc Guehi stopped them from falling behind after they were brutally exposed on the counter-attack with holding midfielder Declan Rice failing to offer protection to his backline.
That vulnerability to the counter-attack was punished minutes later when Ivan Schranz opened the scoring for Slovakia.
The Slavia Prague striker bagged his third goal of the competition with a calm outside-of-the-boot finish with England's defence all over the place.
🏴 0-1 🇸🇰
Ivan Schranz has given Slovakia a deserved lead but England will be questioning how they were cut open by a long, hopeful ball#EURO2024
📺 @rte2 & @rteplayer
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7
📱Live updates https://t.co/nj5pyznqfX pic.twitter.com/ujWo52l403— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 30, 2024
England had a false dawn when Phil Foden appeared to have equalised for the favourite but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR for offside.
🏴 0-1 🇸🇰
Surprisingly long VAR review to confirm that Phil Foden was half a yard offside#EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/nj5pyznqfX pic.twitter.com/Z6vMzuZwV2— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 30, 2024
Their next best chance came through Rice, who attempted a long-range effort that cannoned off the post and Harry Kane could only fluff the rebound.
It was Rice's midfield partner Jude Bellingham - the match-winner against Serbia - who bailed them out with virtually the last kick of normal time and bafflingly, their first attempt on target.
🏴 1-1 🇸🇰
What a goal from Jude Bellingham! England have been awful for 94 minutes, only for the Real Madrid man to score a bicycle kick to send this game to extra-time #EURO2024
📺@rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Live updates https://t.co/nj5pyznqfX pic.twitter.com/OiTWN7y3Iy— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 30, 2024
England took the initiative in extra-time, Kane heading home from close range against jaded opposition as they survived against Slovakia.
They still failed to show their credentials as potential champions, with a number of problems persisting in the win and Kilbane believes the presence of Rice is one of them.
Kevin Kilbane takes aim at Declan Rice
Kilbane, who earned 110 caps for Ireland during his lengthy international career, identified Rice as a 'real problem' for England in the middle of the pitch.
The former Premier League player was speaking on Canadian network TSN when he blamed England's in-game struggles on Rice's inability to control a match.
Rice - as I said earlier on - his passing is too negative," Kilbane said.
"I don't think he has got the capability to speed and slow down a game where necessary in matches and that is a real problem for England.
"We put Rice on a pedestal. We put him alongside Rodri, we put him alongside (Toni) Kroos, and (N'Golo) Kante. That is the level he has got to be at and he is simply not at that level.
"He is not at that level where he is able to dictate play and I think that is the problem."
Speaking at half-time, Kilbane had urged Southgate to remove Rice from the fray in favour of a more offensive player.
'He seems to be marking Slovakia players when England are in possession because he simply doesn't want the ball.
"It is something that is very stereotypical for a player that is lacking confidence. He doesn't want the ball.
"I have seen it so many times before. On this big stage it looks dreadful for England because they are not able to take control of the middle of the park.
"I think he has to come out of the game for England to play better. It might not necessarily be the best thing in terms of the structure of the side defensively, but they need somebody that is more progressive in midfield.
"Whether that is Bellingham dropping back a bit deeper to control the game or (Eberechi) Eze or even (Conor) Gallagher, there are options for England."
Eze did come in to good effect, albeit for Kobbie Mainoo despite the youngster proving to be one of few bright lights for his side.
Kilbane is not the only former Ireland player to take aim at Rice, with fellow centurion James McClean making some headline-grabbing remarks earlier in the competition.
On two separate occasions, he has commented on England's Rice, stating that the player was "overrated" and even claimed that he was "not world class."
