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GFX Ivan Toney Jude Bellingham England Euro 2024Getty/GOAL

'Annoyed' Ivan Toney points to the key role he played in Jude Bellingham's dramatic bicycle kick England goal against Slovakia, as he insists he is a 'finisher' rather than substitute

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  • Toney a late substitute vs Slovakia
  • Bellingham scored incredible equaliser straight after
  • Striker says he played a part in the goal
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Bellingham's late acrobatic effort rescued England from Euro 2024 elimination, sending the last-16 tie into extra-time where Harry Kane netted the winning goal to take the Three Lions through to the quarter-finals. The subsequent headlines were all about the Real Madrid and Bayern Munich stars, but Toney insists he was crucial after being brought on as a late substitute just before the equaliser.

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  • Gareth Southgate Ivan Toney England 2024Getty Images

    WHAT TONEY SAID

    "I feel we do a lot at club football," Toney said. "If you can't get the ball you [do something else]. I pulled the defender away. Take nothing away from Jude... a run is not a wasted run even if you don't get the ball."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Toney's stoppage time introduction was his first appearance at Euro 2024, having been left on the bench for their three group stage matches. However, the Brentford star is not happy with being labelled a substitute, preferring to call himself a finisher.

    "Yes, I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes of football to play [including extra-time] and you have got to come out of that mood and focus," he told reporters. "I feel like people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there's more than 11 players needed to win a tournament."

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  • Kane-Bellingham-EnglandGetty

    WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

    Toney will hope England manager Gareth Southgate calls on him to come off the bench again when they take on Switzerland in their quarter-final tie on Saturday as they look to secure a place in the competition's last four.

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