Declan Rice shares what he said to Jude Bellingham just before England’s last minute throw vs Slovakia

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Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has now been sharing what he said to Jude Bellingham shortly before England equalised against Slovakia at Euro 2024.

Sunday evening will perhaps be one to both forget and remember for Rice and his teammates for different reasons.

Gareth Southgate’s side again underwhelmed tactically – to say the least.

Bukayo Saka’s skill set wasn’t effectively utilised, and Rice evidently is not benefiting from the constant changes around him.

That being said, Bellingham produced one of the most inspired moments in English knockout footballing history.

And once England found a way to score, it momentarily felt rather straightforward to go and grab another.

And whilst he wasn’t directly involved in Bellingham’s goal to bring the game level, Rice’s words may have played a decisive role.

The Arsenal midfielder spoke to ITV Football shortly after the win, and confessed that he had ordered Bellingham to stay in the box ahead of a long-throw being delivered, believing he could make a difference.

Declan Rice told Jude Bellingham to stay in the box shortly before his England goal

Rice also shared what Kyle Walker had been telling his teammates shortly before the goal, attempting to inspire the underperforming players around him to still believe.

Rice shared: “There was two throws, there was the first one and I said stay in the box because Ivan had just come on and the ball went out for another throw.

“Kyle Walker was saying to the lads, keep believing, we can get something here by sticking to our roles and our jobs because if we just make something up on the spot – the cross over and the flick on, to cause havoc that goal doesn’t come and Jude isn’t free.

“If I tried that I would have broken my back but he’s put it in the back of the net. Big moments and big players. Fair play to the boy, that was special for him.”

READ MORE: Stuart Pearce sums up Declan Rice’s performance in one word as Arsenal star helps England win at Euro 2024

Of course, there will be plenty of fall-out from the last-gasp win this week before England play again against Switzerland on Saturday.

And whilst Rice’s position won’t be in doubt, Arsenal fans may again be forced to listen to calls for Saka to be dropped – who remains one of Southgate’s most talented players.

But aside from Sunday’s nail-biting win, perhaps Arsenal should be looking to buy a Euro 2024 star who is now free to leave his club.