Arsenal star Declan Rice found himself involved in a full-time altercation with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona at the end of England’s dramatic Euro 2024 round of 16 victory.
The Three Lions were behind until the final stages of the game, courtesy of Ivan Schranz’s first-half opener, until Jude Bellingham levelled the game deep into added time with a stunning overhead kick. With the game taken to extra-time, Harry Kane came up with a huge goal just moments into the start of the extra 30 minutes.
Slovakia pushed for a route back into the game, but England held firm and thus set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland. Following the full-time whistle with England players jubilant, Rice was at the centre of some unsavoury scenes involving Calzona and the referee.
As he approached the official to offer some words, Rice stepped into his path and was subsequently pushed out of the way, with the midfielder far from pleased by the actions of the Slovakia head coach. ITV commentator Sam Matterface, in the stadium, offered his verdict on the incident.
“Rice and the manager collided at the end,” he said on ITV. “There was a bit of pushing and shoving going on; I think Calzona wanted to confront the officials at full time. Rice was pushed away and there was nothing more than that at the end. England will concentrate on Gareth Southgate getting a seventh knockout game as England manager.”
Mark Pougatch, in the ITV studio added: “Just to reiterate what happened there Francesco Calzona the Slovakia coach went to say something to the referee, Declan Rice sort of said ‘don’t bother getting involved’. Calzona pushed him away and it was all over sort of quickly.”
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Regardless of the incident, Rice will undoubtedly be thrilled by the result with the Arsenal man playing the full 120 minutes with club teammate Bukayo Saka also seeing out the whole game. Aaron Ramsdale meanwhile, remained an unused substitute but he back up Rice when he was confronted by Calzona.
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