Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWho else? Jude Bellingham came to Englands rescue again.They lacked inspiration, precision and a finish until Bellingham intervened after just over an hour's laboured performance against opponents ranked 40th in the world and with a population of 4.5m - half that of London.Bellingham scored one, a difficult finish under pressure, and created the other, a historic one for Harry Kane.Jude Bellingham provides England spark once againBellingham is only 22, playing in his fourth major tournament, and comes under intense scrutiny. He takes it in his stride, and delivers. He was comfortably the best player on the pitch.Thomas Tuchel withdrew Bellingham towards the end, protecting him for the round of 32 test in Atlanta, probably against Senegal. Bellingham still had the energy to run 70 yards to do his TV interview after the final whistle. You may like England star nails World Cup colours to the mast in Thomas Tuchel's final dress rehearsal Jude Bellingham responds to 'noise' over his place in the England side England vs Croatia player ratings: Jude Bellingham stars, as Ezri Konsa struggles Down the other end, Bellinghams team-mates were being serenaded with Wonderwall by their fans. Kane smiled at all the joyous faces. He and Bellingham are Englands most important players. Maybe? Definitely.This was a reminder of the importance of Bellingham, the ridiculousness of some of the excessive criticism of him, and also the importance of the right delivery from the wide areas.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Englands first goal came from a corner, the second from a cross. Kanes 11th World Cup goal was a well-taken header created by Bellingham. It took Kane to 11 World Cup goals, an England record, moving him clear of Gary Lineker. England will need to match Bellinghams levels. From the start he looked the right mix of fired up and focused. England fans sang about returning here on July 19. The final. Given the quality of teams elsewhere in the tournament, England know they have to raise their game, certainly on the first-half evidence. Only Bellingham and Marcus Rashford impressed.As it stood at the break, England were playing Portugal on Thursday in Toronto in the round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo again? Gelsenkirchen revisited, twenty years on. Not the winker again? England had to shake things up. What to read next England vs Croatia proves all the fun of the fair on thrillseekers' doorstep - but only for the neutral How to watch Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Jude Bellingham rejects Man of the Match award saying no England player deserved it against Ghana For 45 minutes, Tuchels players were too ponderous to elude their opponents mid-block. Panamas five-man defence looked to catch Tuchels attackers offside and were effective.England were also vulnerable to the occasional counter. Marc Guehi twice, and Ezri Konsa, reacted smartly to close down threat emanating from Tomas Rodriguez, the point of their 5-4-1 formation.The bright spark amidst the gloom in the scoreless opening 45 was Bellingham. Usually at 10, Bellingham adapted easily to the No 8 role in the absence of Declan Rice. Tuchel sensibly protected Rice, who was a booking away from suspension for the round of 32. Bellingham was quickly at home in this box-to-box role.When Bellingham was 13, his coach at Birmingham Citys academy, Mike Dodds, told him he could play any midfield role, 4, 8 or 10. Bellingham proved adept at all of them, and so wore No 22. It added up. He showed his tackling abilities here as well as his passing, and linked up promisingly with Marcus Rashford on the left.Not a lot was happening on the field and the camera strayed from the action to the stand, picking out some familiar football faces in the crowd. Not the usual Hollywood celebrities that the US broadcasters devour but the FAs Dan Ashworth talking to Juan Mata, and David Dein sitting alongside Tyrone Mings. Quite the quartet.England sloped off at the interval to a few boos. It was all so different to eight years ago in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia; Gareth Southgates side were 5-0 up then.England finally took control just after the hour mark and inevitably it was Bellingham the catalyst. Bukayo Saka swept a corner over from the left and Bellingham was too clever and strong for the Jorge Gutierrez. The Real Madrid player snaked his left foot around the defender, connecting with the ball and sending it from seven yards past Orlando Mosquera.Bellingham set off in celebration to the corner where England fans punched the air, partly in relief. No Ronaldo. Now they were heading to Atlanta to face probably Senegal, possibly DR Congo. Now they were seeing England play with more finish. And belief. Within five minutes, England were further clear.Their fans could never relax, but here was a moment for exhaling deep. England were two up. Bellingham played the creator this time, taking his time, letting Kane make his move, before lifting the ball in left-footed. Kane wanted the ball more than Andres Andrade. He rose and steered his header powerfully home.The half was not without cost. Jarell Quansah, deputising at right-back, got injured, and needed to depart after the first goal. His replacement, Djed Spence, now looks the last fit England right-back in the US. Oh, and Lee Dixon, who is on TV duty here.Noni Madueke came on for Saka as Tuchel continued to ring the changes. Bellingham was replaced by Eberechi Eze, then Jordan Henderson arrived to play in his seventh tournament as Tuchel gave Anderson a breather.Ollie Watkins sprinted on as Kane was withdrawn to prepare him for the knock-out rigours to come. With Bellingham in this form, England have a good chance of progressing further.TOPICSJude BellinghamHenry WinterSocial Links NavigationWriterHenry Winter is one of football's most popular and respected writers. Previously the Chief Football Writer for The Times and a Football Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, his work now primarily features on his Substack. He has also lauched his own podcast 'The Winter View'
