England have had heroes before – but Jude Bellingham is a special one.
He was the game-changer for England again in Miami, producing an excellent equaliser against Norway before pouncing in extra-time to send his side into the World Cup semi-finals.
It came just five days on from his double in Mexico. Diego Maradona was the last player to hit braces in back-to-back World Cup knockout games. Now Bellingham is carving out his own legendary status.
When England have needed him, Bellingham has stepped up and delivered at this World Cup. Five of his six goals this summer have either levelled the match or put England in front.
Jude Bellingham’s stats vs Norway
“I’ve seen Paul Gascoigne go to a tournament and rip it up, Michael Owen do the same, Wayne Rooney did it in 2004,” said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville on ITV.
“But I’ve never seen a player have an impact on the tournament in the way Jude Bellingham is.
“This is very special, what we’re watching. An absolute superstar. He’s giving everything and more out there for England.”
To think there had been debate before the World Cup about whether Bellingham should be in the team. To think he had been left out of an England squad in October.
The 23-year-old played 111 minutes in Florida and finished the quarter-final with more shots, duels won and fouls won than any player on the pitch. In the decisive moments Bellingham came out on top and edged things England’s way in a match which could so easily have gone against them.
Harry Kane has shared the load with Bellingham at this World Cup. Between them they have scored 12 of England’s 13 goals. But with the England captain struggling to have an impact against Norway, it was Bellingham who came up with the clinical strike and the poacher’s finish.
Bellingham is relishing the big stage – and now he has a World Cup semi-final to shine in.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Relive the best of the fans reaction as England came from behind to beat Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Bellingham’s spiky response to Tuchel criticism: Whatever!
England boss Thomas Tuchel was critical of the team’s overall performance against Norway – and Bellingham delivered a spiky response when he was told about the manager’s verdict.
“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” Tuchel told ITV. “The result is fantastic, we’re in the last four. It’s amazing. I’m not happy with the performance.”
Bellingham who had been praising the work ethic of his team-mates, said: “Yeah, well. Whatever. Whatever.
“It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.”
Neville enjoyed the comments of both men. “I love both interviews,” he told ITV. “Thomas Tuchel’s was fantastic. Jude Bellingham’s response was absolutely brilliant.
“What you’ve seen in those two interviews are massive egos, world-class players and managers. You have to be exceptional to do what those two have done. What we’ve seen there is very good for England.”
