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The World Cups are where the defining images and memories of England players are formed, the snapshots that capture a moment in time.
So let’s say this now: For years to come, you’ll have no trouble remembering the exact moment Jude Bellingham took possession of his own half against Senegal and ran for 40 yards with the pace, power, ferocity and skill that made him think of Jonah Lomu leaping into the corner past hapless defenders.
It was beautifully brutal, devastating and ballet in equal measure. But the aspect that made it all was the perfectly weighted ball that allowed Phil Foden to square off for Harry Kane to score the goal that propelled England into the World Cup quarter-finals.
Jude Bellingham put in a performance well beyond his years as he dominated the midfield.
The finish was sumptuous but the race was incredible. This was the kind of clip TV directors would want to put together with Nobby Stiles dancing in 1966, Paul Gascoigne sobbing in 1990, Michael Owen slaloming in 1998 and Gareth Southgate roaring in 2018.
It’s only when you’re next to Bellingham that you appreciate its size. He stands at 6ft 3in with broad shoulders that were built to carry heavy loads and that’s precisely what he did for the first 45 minutes as the England players were asked questions they normally would never be asked.
Senegal were eventually beaten comfortably, but the first half hour, especially, was enthralling. The best team in Africa was well trained, tactically savvy and looked better on the ball. They should also have been ahead when Boulaye Dia saw Jordan Pickford’s goal.
Many England players were on edge as they tried to harness their nerves and adrenaline.
Kyle Walker made uncharacteristically poor decisions with his pass, Bukayo Saka unsure whether to dig or twist as he galloped forward, Harry Maguire’s touch betrayed him on occasion.
The 19-year-old set up Jordan Henderson’s opening goal and played a key role in the other goals.
Through it all, however, Bellingham and his engine room colleagues Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice searched together, refusing to allow Senegal to come out on top. Bellingham, in particular, was remarkable and a small moment in the 15th minute caught the eye.
With the England supporters silent and the relentless pounding of Senegalese drums making it feel more Dakar than Doha, Bellingham surged forward, earned a corner and immediately began waving his arms, scowling at the crowd demanding they step up their game. .
This young man is different from other 19-year-olds. There will be certain points in the future when his form fluctuates, as is the case with all football players, but right now he’s playing with a swagger that makes you think of Owen or Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard when they were a similar age.
The stage, the stage, the opponents: none of it bothered them. That trio knew they could go on and dominate and that was precisely what Bellingham did against Senegal on Sunday night, charging on the cusp of half time, the highlight of his sensational performance.
Bellingham surely holds the keys to England’s chances against France on Saturday night.
“He’s going to be a superstar, that boy,” said Roy Keane on ITV. “He plays like he’s played 100 times for England.”
Keane isn’t known for scattering compliments like confetti, so being prepared to commit to that kind of statement should give you an idea of the realms Bellingham could enter.
By listening to what the people who work with him say, Bellingham is only going to get better because he wants to learn. He has forged a bond with Henderson, who has played a crucial role over the past 18 months in helping a teenager adjust to an environment that could have been daunting.
The Liverpool captain, like Keane, won’t waste a tribute if he doesn’t think he deserves it, but he also holds Bellingham in the highest regard.
The feeling is mutual. Henderson will never win a popularity contest in the stands, but his value to this team and the importance he places on playing for England can be illustrated in this little story from September. Back then, he had a badly damaged hamstring and had not played for Liverpool for three weeks.
Initially, it was thought that he had no chance of participating in the Nations League matches against Italy and Germany, but the midfielder worked day and night to regain his full fitness.
Bukayo Saka was called up to the starting XI after being rested by Gareth Southgate against Wales.
Aware that this was his only chance to be at St George’s Park before Gareth Southgate named his squad, he spoke to his national team manager and club manager Jurgen Klopp and asked if he could coach despite not having played for Liverpool.
Klopp was very happy to have him go and Southgate was equally delighted to have Henderson around.
There was never any chance that he would not be included in the 26-man squad and ever since he was introduced against the USA, he has been one of England’s best players.
Henderson started like an express train and it was fitting, if a bit surprising, that he was the one to open the scoring on 38 minutes, going so far as to finish off a perfect cross.
The man who supplied it? Bellingham. He, and we, will remember this performance for a long, long time.