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After the lightning, thunder and rain, Jude Bellingham shone so brightly that he has surely ended the debate about whether he should start for England against Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
There was plenty to enjoy in England’s performance, including the control of Elliot Anderson in midfield, and the pace of Anthony Gordon down the left, but this was Bellingham’s evening here at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando.
England fans turned up in numbers, singing of going to New York for the final of the World Cup, and heartened in their hope by the performance of their No 10. “Juuuuude” they chanted. They believed. Maybe Thomas Tuchel now will.
Jude Bellingham was in his element for England's final 'proper' World Cup warm-up fixture
This had felt a final audition for Bellingham. Morgan Rogers is a Tuchel favourite, and the Aston Villa attacker’s supporters have been loud in campaigning for him to start at 10. England still have a scrimmage game against Miami United to come but this was the last proper test, and Bellingham passed it with flying colours.
Bellingham is heading into his fourth tournament with England, has already won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, yet his youth is often overlooked. He’s still only 22, still maturing. He could have another six tournaments in him. Some of the critical scrutiny is completely legitimate, and some of his comments to officials have been unnecessary.
He had a word here with the referee, Katja Koroleva, seeking an explanation over some decision, and accepted the explanation with a cheery thumbs up. Bellingham was wise not to get into a deeper debate with Koroleva who graduated with honours in biology, has a masters in medical science, and further qualifications in Spanish and chemistry.
Bellingham had a challenging examination here. He set the tone from kick-off with a 30-yard sprint to press Darryl Araya. It was almost as if Bellingham wanted to show his commitment to the team ethic, putting in the hard yards, doing the dirty stuff. Bellingham gets accused of wanting to do the spectacular but much of his play was selfless and simple, laying the ball off to better-placed team-mates.
He kept knitting play together, taking a ball from Anderson, loaning it back, reclaiming it, loaning it to Ezri Konsa, then linking with Noni Madueke. When Madueke wasted a wonderful pass from Bellingham the No 10 made sure he had a quick supportive word with the frustrated winger.
He has an uplifting effect on his own side, and a dispiriting one on the opposition. Because of his reputation, Bellingham brings a fear factor. Costa Rica had their captain, Orlando Galo, tracking him. They had their centre-back, Fernan Faerron, grappling him at corners. They could sense the threat.
So it proved. Bellingham began the move to England’s 10th-minute opening goal, bending the ball with the outside of his right boot to John Stones. Gordon took over the move, and raced into the box. Declan Rice checked his run, lurking in space. Bellingham, too, was looking for the cutback, raising his arms to signal his availability. Gordon instead picked out Rice for his seventh goal in his 73rd appearance.
Bellingham’s sense of the team ethos has been questioned by some. Too selfish. Yet as Rice’s shot brushed Orlando Galo and went into the net, Bellingham punched the air and raced towards the scorer. Only Gordon got to Rice quicker. When Reece James on the right pressed and regained possession, Bellingham applauded his efforts.
He played 1-2s with Kane, had a shot blocked and then took the armband when Kane (and vice-captain Rice) went off. Showing his versatility, Bellingham played briefly as a false 9. He created England’s second with a dribble in from the left, weaving past defenders, before laying the ball back to Eberechi Eze, who shot was handled. Gordon despatched the penalty, the game was done as a contest and Tuchel withdrew Bellingham.
He went along the rows in the dug-out, taking the congratulatory slaps off his team-mates, then joining in the applause when Ollie Watkins made it 3-0. Surely, Bellingham’s role in Dallas is secure.
