Gareth Southgate responds to criticism after playing Bukayo Saka left-back for England | Football

The Three Lions avoided a major scare in their last-16 tie against Slovakia on Sunday as they were on course for a 1-0 defeat before Jude Bellingham forced extra time with his spectacular equaliser in the 94th minute.

Harry Kane then headed England in front in the first minute of extra time and Southgate’s side were able to hold out for a 2-1 victory, which sets up a quarter-final clash against Switzerland on July 6.

Saka, meanwhile, made it clear before the game against Slovakia that he would not relish the prospect of playing at left-back with England struggling in that position due to Luke Shaw’s injury and Kieran Trippier, who has started every game so far, not being a natural left-footer.

‘I don’t think putting me out of position is the solution,’ said the Arsenal winger when asked about the suggestion of playing at left-back for the national side.

‘It is a good option to have. I have to say the courage shown by the players was fantastic tonight.’

Meanwhile, Southgate hit back at the criticism of his substitutions after the victory over Slovakia, claiming that his decision to stick with Bellingham and Kane was justified and his substitutions throughout Euro 2024 so far ‘have had an impact’.

‘The two players who get the goals, you could arguably take off 15 minutes from the end because they looked out on their feet, but that is what they are capable of,’ ­Southgate said.

‘Harry and Jude, with 15 minutes to go you are ­looking and ­thinking, ‘should we be refreshing those positions?’, and maybe that’s the bit that makes the difference. But then you know they are capable of doing the sorts of things they did. That’s why you stick with those players.

‘So when people want changes, you’ve got to keep some balance to the team, you’ve got to make changes that you think are definitely going to improve what you’re doing, either physically or with a different sort of a problem.

‘I think actually pretty much all the changes we have made this tournament have had an impact, so that’s shown the value of our squad and the need of everyone to be ready.’

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