Euro 2024: Declan Rice says England’s players want ‘to protect’ boss Gareth Southgate

Declan Rice said England’s players would “do anything to protect” manager Gareth Southgate after they came from behind to seal a dramatic last-16 victory over Slovakia.

Three Lions boss Southgate had come under fire following his side’s poor performances at Euro 2024, but Jude Bellingham’s stunning injury-time overhead kick and Harry Kane’s extra-time effort salvaged the success after going behind in the first half.

Cups were thrown at Southgate and some fans jeered after their group-stage draw with Slovenia, but he enjoyed a warm post-match reception as he celebrated with supporters on Sunday.

“We’ve got a togetherness, we proved that tonight,” Rice told BBC Sport. We’d do anything to protect this manager, protect each other.

“We’ll keep going and keep fighting and what we’ve got as a group tonight showed out there. It’s an honour to be a part of it and we’re going to give it everything.”

Fellow midfielder Bellingham praised the “sacrifices” made by the team to help clinch a meeting with Switzerland in the last eight – live on the BBC – on Saturday (17:00 BST).

“We’ve won this game together,” the 21-year-old told ITV Sport. “Not me, not Harry Kane, not the individual moments.

“It’s the likes of Ivan Toney, Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka going to left-back.

“It’s the sacrifice you make for the team and that’s the energy we need to keep regardless of what goes on.”