There was a minute left to run on Gareth Southgate’s reign, the clock ticking down on a dismal tournament that seemed a demoralising end to the second-finest tenure of any England manager.

Until an airborne Jude Bellingham intervened. Until Bellingham underlined that he has that combination of talent, technique and temperament to offer the promise of greatness. There had been reasons for Southgate to replace him: booked for a rash lunge at Lukas Haraslin, he had been unwise enough to lay his hands on the referee. He had endured a poor game.

But there was an instance of brilliance; a bicycle kick, an injury-time equaliser, a lifeline, a goal that may reshape England’s history as well as Southgate’s time in charge.

Quarter-final 4, Dusseldorf: England v Switzerland (1700)

Having beaten Slovakia in the last-16, England will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals. After looking impressive in the group stages, Switzerland defeated holders Italy 2-0 in the last-16.

If England win in the quarter-finals, they will play either Netherlands, Romania, Austria and Turkey in the semi-finals.

England are no longer on course to face France in the semi-finals. That’s after France finished second in Group D. Germany, Spain, Portugal and Belgium will be in the other half of the draw too.

The Real Madrid man had struggled to make an impression on the last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen as England looked set to be heading home before his moment of inspiration, with Harry Kane then heading home in extra time to secure a 2-1 win.

Gareth Southgate’s side will now meet Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday as England look to end a 58-year wait for a major men’s trophy.

“I had belief right the way through that we’d get the goal. I didn’t think it would be as late as it was. I wasn’t ready to go home yet and clearly the players felt the same way.”

Switzerland have impressed in the tournament so far and eased to a 2-0 victory over holders Italy on Saturday to progress into the last eight.

They will no doubt pose a threat to an England side still struggling to find their way but Stones feels they can overcome the challenge.

“I think we’ve got that belief now,” he told beIN Sport.

“I think we had it before but we didn’t fully show that and our performances didn’t replicate that belief.

“We’ve got to always look at the negatives and the things that we can improve on because it’s a massive part of the games, massive part of what we do.

“We’re coming up another great side… another great test for us that we’re we’re excited for; I’ve not thought about it too much, to be honest, after the emotions but tomorrow we’ll be preparing as usual, and we’ve got to enjoy this, because it’s been tough, tough for everyone, and I want everyone to enjoy it.”

“What a game, what a way for us to get through,” said Stones.

“It was not the way that we wanted to but I think the fight, the desire… that people wanted to see from us at home, from people in the stands – that fight for the shirt, for everyone that’s come out to support us was there and more.

“That’s what’s got us through, we didn’t play the best and that is down to us, which is frustrating,

“But I hope now, coming through such a tough time and doing things, taking risks with the ball, we can implement that now and kind of take the handbrake off in some senses to let our quality show.”

John Stones insists England are ready to take the handbrake off after their “fight and desire” saw them come from behind to dramatically beat Slovakia in extra-time and reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Gareth Southgate’s side looked set to be heading home as Ivan Schranz’s first-half strike had Slovakia ahead until Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick deep into stoppage time tied the game.

Harry Kane then headed home to secure a 2-1 victory that sets up a quarter final clash with Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday.

Like their performances in the group stage, England laboured at times but ultimately got the job done and now Stones believes the team can now play with more freedom in Germany.

Luke Shaw’s absence has forced Kieran Trippier to play out of position at left-back for the duration of the tournament so far, visibly affecting the balance of England’s team.

Gomez is an alternative having played much of the club season in that position as Liverpool dealt with long-term injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, while Konsa’s brief international career has largely been spent in the wide positions.

England briefly moved to a back three during extra time against Slovakia and, while Bukayo Saka and in particular Eberechi Eze are unlikely to be deployed as starting wing-backs on Saturday, that system does provide another option.

Kyle Walker would be likely to move to the right of the trio in that scenario, with Trippier or Trent Alexander-Arnold outside him. Trippier could still be required at left wing-back if Shaw remains unavailable, unless Saka or Gomez were preferred.

Yellow cards are wiped after the quarter-finals for suspension purposes but England will have Trippier, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher walking the tightrope against Switzerland.

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is Southgate’s other option, his stand-out statistic from the league season being a success rate of 74 per cent in aerial duels – winning 31 of 42 to match the ratio of prospective England partner John Stones.

Like Konsa, Gomez’s versatility is another mark in his favour if Southgate opts for more wide-ranging changes.

Brighton defender Lewis Dunk’s 88 clearances matched Guehi for the most of any central defender in Southgate’s squad, albeit in eight more appearances, while his comfort on the ball could be of value – only star Manchester City midfielder Rodri made more than Dunk’s 3,212 passes in last season’s Premier League and he completed well over 90 per cent.

Dunk’s 27 tackles ranked only ninth among Brighton players – behind forwards Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra – though that owes partly to the Seagulls’ pressing system and it is worth remembering centre-back Leah Williamson skippered England to glory in the 2022 Women’s Euro without making a single tackle.