Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice started from the off in a game that proved to be another difficult evening for England.
Gareth Southgate’s men looked to be heading to a shock exit at Euro 2024 after Ivan Schranz opened the scoring for Slovakia in the first half.
The Three Lions struggled to create clear-cut opportunities once again and Southgate finally shuffled the pack after the hour mark. It led to Saka moving out to left-back with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer coming on to play off the right-hand side.
England were saved by a stunning effort from Jude Bellingham in stoppage time before Harry Kane handed them a 2-1 lead at the start of extra time.
But it’s fair to say that former Tottenham man Jamie O’Hara wanted more from Saka during the game.
O’Hara delivers Saka verdict as England beat Slovakia
Saka played the full 120 minutes to help England to a 2-1 victory over Slovakia and certainly played his part.
With England chasing the game, Eberechi Eze was also introduced into the action, which resulted in Saka playing at right wing-back after his shift at left-back.
However, O’Hara wanted to see more from Saka while he was playing off the right-hand side of the front three.
Speaking during talkSPORT’s watch-along, the former Tottenham man said: “Saka is having one, mate. Saka has got to offer us more, he has got to offer us more.”
Saka continues to prove his importance for England
Despite having to play three positions during today’s last-16 clash, Saka did his job to help England through to the quarter-final.
Saka wasn’t at his usual best off the right-hand side but his versatility proved key to Southgate making the required changes this evening.
You’d imagine that the 22-year-old won’t be desperate to play at full-back once again but it will be intriguing to see what Southgate does moving forward.
Luke Shaw is yet to play a single minute at the Euros despite returning to training last week. With Kieran Trippier struggling at left-back, the England boss clearly needs to make a change in that position.
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