Watch England fans who left Slovakia game early race to re-enter stadium

It was difficult to watch. England were toiling towards an embarrassing defeat against Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024 in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, and manager Gareth Southgate was heading out of his job.

For some fans, it was too much to bear.

Several England supporters left the Arena AufSchalke before the final whistle, absolutely certain in their expectation that their country was crashing out of the competition in Germany.

They didn't need to see any more, surely England couldn't rescue this game... could they?

Read more: Fans celebrate as Bellingham helps England to dramatic comeback victory (PA Media)

As we all know, in the 95th minute, Jude Bellingham changed everything, his equalising overhead kick saving England from defeat, before Harry Kane's extra-time winner sent Southgate's side into the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland on Saturday.

Bellingham's goal was one of the greatest and most dramatic in English football history, a moment for the sporting ages.

So spare a tiny thought for a number of England fans who missed it, instead caught on camera walking out of the ground early in disgust at the team's performance up to that miracle moment.

A video posted by La Media Inglesa account on X, formerly Twitter, showed England fans who had left the stadium trying to get back inside after hearing the roar in the immediate aftermath of Bellingham's goal.

One exuberant fan, carrying a beer and a folded up England flag, said: "We've scored? We've scored?"

Once it dawned on him his team had equalised, he chanted: "ENGERLAND! Back in we go! Back in we go!"

Watch: Upbeat England fans celebrate extra time goals

Dozens of fans were shown on the clip trying to re-enter the stadium, although it is unclear if they were allowed back in.

Earlier, Sky News sports journalist Tyrone Francis interviewed two England supporters outside the ground while the game was still going on, at that point with Slovakia holding on to their 1-0 lead.

Asked what he made of the England performance, the first fan said: "S***e. S***e."

He added: "Well, Southgate's gone, isn't he? He's gone on his holiday, players pick up next two years."

When asked why they were leaving early, the second fan said: "Only because we don't want to get caught on the tram."

A few minutes later, after Bellingham's wonder goal, that empty tram ride may not have seemed like the best idea.

Another fan who left the stadium early had the news of Bellingham's equaliser broken to him by a different Sky News reporter.

"Have England scored?" the fan asked, before giving a rueful grin after realising he had missed the goal.

He turned around and pointed to the name on his England replica shirt, "Bellingham", which appeared to offer him some consolation.

But they weren't the only England fans who, perhaps quite understandably given the 94 previous tedious minutes of football, lacked belief in their team.

BBC News reporter Joe Inwood was interviewing one woman watching the match at Brixton Boxpark in south London just seconds before Bellingham's goal.

Asked if Southgate would keep his job, she said: "No ways. He's not coming back after this. I mean he even said himself if they don't win this tournament he's out."

Within a second of her reply, Bellingham scored and she was quite rightly up celebrating with everybody else, the release of relief and joy palpable.

She wasn't the only one.