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.”