Jude Bellingham unleashed a furious boot into an advertising board at the New York Stadium to demonstrate the passion that drives the No 10 when England are frantically chasing games. There is now no mystery behind which England player might emerge during these spells of adversity. Bellingham can be trusted to take the game over and dovetail with Harry Kane, a vital relationship on the field that is likely to define this team’s journey.
Bellingham’s eighth international goal came in a precious 2-0 World Cup win over Panama to wrap up top spot in Group L over Croatia and Ghana and secure what appears to be an easier path in the knockout stage. Of Bellingham’s eight goals for the Three Lions though, five have come in major tournaments, showing just how he can elevate his game when others around him routinely shrink.
Yes, it was only Panama, but England were drifting and had spent 51 minutes stuck in second gear as Croatia led Ghana in Philadelphia, knowing an easier run in theory and the morale of advancing as group winners were slipping away.
Adding to his catalogue of goals on the big stage, which includes that miraculous 95th minute bicycle kick against Slovakia at the last Euros, Bellingham settled nerves with the breakthrough before setting up Kane for the goal that saw him surpass Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer (11).
Bellingham had match-leading key passes (4), dribbles (3) and tackles (4), underlining his status as one of the most complete players in the world.