Jude Bellingham told his England teammates they can be world champions after leading by example in a 3-2 win over Mexico that will go down as one of the Three Lions’ best ever World Cup triumphs.
The odds were stacked against Thomas Tuchel’s men as they entered the lion’s den of the Estadio Azteca, where Mexico had only lost twice in 89 previous matches and never in 10 outings at the World Cup.
On top of facing down a passionate 80,000 crowd, England also had to cope with playing at high altitude and over 45 minutes a man down after Jarell Quansah’s red card.
But by that point, Bellingham’s first half double, scored just 98 seconds apart, had given the visitors something to hold on to.
The Real Madrid midfielder stooped to silence the home crowd to open the scoring.
Bellingham then charged forward to convert Harry Kane’s cross for his fourth goal of the tournament.
“It’s the best night of my England career. Just unbelievable,” said Bellingham, who also performed heroics in his own box.
After Julian Quinones smashed Mexico back into the game, Cesar Montes looked certain to equalise before half-time until Bellingham stretched out a leg to clear.
At just 23, Bellingham is already into his fourth major tournament and assumed the role of a leader.
Alongside Kane, England’s two world class players have carried their nation into a last-eight clash with Norway despite far from flawless performances.
“I’m aware of the responsibility, I’m aware of the pressure that I carry along with all the other players,” said Bellingham.
“Each player has a different responsibility on the pitch in terms of their roles, but I know what I can offer to the team.”
– ‘Stay off school’ –
He is hoping his confidence rubs off on the rest of the squad in their quest to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament.
“I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone.
“We shouldn’t wait 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes to realise that we’re a very good team.
“So I hope that this win instills that belief in the squad because they deserve to feel that way about themselves.”
Bellingham’s brilliance since touching down on the other side of the Atlantic has silenced doubts prior to the World Cup that he would not necessarily start under Thomas Tuchel.
A year ago Tuchel said that even his own mother found some of Bellingham’s antics “repulsive” and that he could intimidate his own teammates.
The German subsequently apologised and has put his faith in a player labelled a generational talent since he broke into the Birmingham team as a 16-year-old.
Bellingham has already experienced the pain of coming close, but ultimately missing out at major tournaments.
England have lost in both the last two finals of the European Championship and were narrowly beaten by France in the World Cup quarter-finals four years ago.
The final whistle in Mexico City went at just over 4:00 am (0300GMT) back in England, but Bellingham called on those at home to revel in the glory of a memorable night.
“To be a part of an England team that gives so much to the country that can give them these moments and nights like this means just as much as anything in my career and in my life really,” he added.
“Kids stay off school, parents don’t go to work, enjoy the day. Be with your friends, go down the pub again if you can.
“Enjoy it because these nights don’t come around often.”
England will hope Bellingham has three more nights like this in him to finally bring the World Cup home.
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