Euro 2024: Slovakia Boss Blasts England’s ‘Crude’ Tactics, Refereeing After Losing Round of 16 Tie

• Francesco Calzona has lashed out at England's time-wasting tactics following Slovakia's elimination from Euro 2024
• The Slovakian boss also took aim at referees, suggesting his opponents were given preferential treatment in the tie
• Nonetheless, it was England that sailed through to the quarter-final, staging a dramatic fightback after extra-time

Slovakia head coach, Francesco Calzona, has criticised England's tactics following their defeat to the Three Lions in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Sunday, June 30.

The Italian was particularly unhappy with England's time-wasting strategies and expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating as his team bowed out of the competition after extra time.

Despite their exit, Calzona remains proud of his players, who were close to handing Gareth Southgate's men a shock defeat at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

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Ivan Schranz broke the deadlock five minutes before the half-hour mark, taking a through ball from David Strelec and coolly slotting it home from close range.

The Falcons stifled England's star-studded squad for most of the game, and Phil Foden's disallowed goal due to offside in the 50th minute only strengthened Slovakia's resolve.

However, Jude Bellingham, showing the clutch performances he has displayed all season for Real Madrid, scored an acrobatic last-gasp goal in the fifth minute of additional time, forcing the game into extra time.

Harry Kane then struck the decisive blow as England secured a 2-1 comeback victory, eliminating Slovakia in the process, Eurosport reports.

Slovakia boss blasts England after defeat

Reflecting on the heartbreaking defeat, Calzona lamented England's time-wasting tactics, which he felt Turkish referee Umut Meler should have penalised.

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"What I don’t accept is one minute of stoppage time with their goalkeeper [Jordan Pickford] wasting a whole lot of time," he said as quoted by Metro.

The 55-year-old added, "I didn’t like the refereeing, I absolutely did not like that. I didn’t like the way the three officials behaved, they were always coming to our bench, and they ignored the other bench. I really did not appreciate this, but this is not why we lost."

Despite the frustration, Calzona expressed immense pride in his team's performance and resilience.

"I’m proud of my team. If we had been not so attentive all the time, that’s something I will review when I watch the match tomorrow, but I must congratulate all my players."

Declan Rice clashes with Slovakia manager

In the same match, tensions erupted between Declan Rice and Slovakia's manager, Francesco Calzona, following England's dramatic victory, as reported by Sports Brief.

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After the final whistle, Rice confronted Calzona, and the Arsenal star had to be restrained by Ivan Toney.

The altercation started when Calzona shoved Rice as he approached the match officials.