"You hear people talk a lot of rubbish," Bellingham said after the match. "It's nice that when you deliver, you can give them a little bit back."

Boasting one of the most talented line-ups on paper, England has come under fierce scrutiny from pundits and punters alike, after a series of dour performances.

The majority of the criticism has been levelled at manager Gareth Southgate, who's squad selections and player placements have raised the ire of the commentariat. 

"It was maybe a message to a few people," Bellingham said of his spectacular strike that sent the last-16 clash with Slovakia into extra time. 

From there, Harry Kane sealed the win which sets up an intriguing quarter-final against Italy's conqueror, Switzerland. 

Elsewhere Bellingham revelled in his last-gasp heroics for England but says only time will tell how important that effort was at Euro 2024.

The Real Madrid midfielder delivered a stunning overhead-kick equaliser against Slovakia, with his 94th-minute leveller sending the last-16 clash to extra time after Ivan Schranz's first-half opener.

Kane subsequently headed home just 50 seconds into the additional 30 minutes to send Gareth Southgate's side through to the last eight with a 2-1 extra-time victory.

Though celebrating another landmark moment in his career, Bellingham warned England must now capitalise on its salvaging act and go deeper into the tournament in Germany.

"It's 20 or 30 seconds until we're out of the European Championship and the mood now is a massive difference, and what it can do for the team going forward," Bellingham said. 

"It's a massive moment, but it's a long tournament and we'll only know it if we go on to win the cup. We'll decide in the next two weeks how important it is."

Bellingham's leveller was timed at 94 minutes and 34 seconds, the latest England goal in its European Championship history.

It was also its first shot on target of the game in Gelsenkirchen, and Bellingham says it will be one to remember.

"It's got to be up there," the 21 year-old said of his late strike. "There's a few nice ones, ones that mean a lot to me personally, but this one was so important.

"Both for today and the mood change if it doesn't happen. It's right up there."

England is set to meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Sunday in Dusseldorf, where Southgate's side will be expected to improve.

Bellingham acknowledged those expectations weight heavy on the Three Lions, though performances like the Slovakia showing act as a "release".

"You're 30 seconds away from going home, feeling like you've let your nation down, and one kick of the ball and everything's great," Bellingham added.

"It's a feeling I don't want to be in, but when it comes, it's a great feeling.

"Playing for England is a great thing, but it's a lot of pressure as well. Being on the pitch and scoring goals for me is a release, it's a very happy moment."