- OLIVER HOLT: The magnificent Jude runs the show as England pass the Scotland test
- Bellingham scored the second goal before Harry Kane scored the third
- PLAYER RATINGS: Bellingham was in charge and Marcus Rashford was a threat
Jude Bellingham produced a dazzling performance last night to orchestrate a euphoric England triumph in Scotland’s backyard.
The Real Madrid midfielder was at his brilliant best at Hampden Park, scoring England’s second goal before setting up Harry Kane in third as Gareth Southgate’s men headed home in the 150th anniversary Heritage Match .
Phil Foden put England on their way with the opener before Bellingham struck, but Harry Maguire – introduced as a half-time substitute – scored an own goal to raise Scotland’s hopes of an unlikely comeback before captain Kane eased late nerves.
After the match, Southgate passionately defended Maguire and branded the growing negativity surrounding the defender as a ‘joke’.
But Bellingham, playing a number 10 role, was the real story here as he put in perhaps his best performance in an England shirt.
Jude Bellingham was England’s star against their old rivals at Hampden Park
The England midfielder (left) was deployed behind Kane in a 4-2-3-1 system against Scotland
Your browser does not support iframes.
‘He was excellent. What was crucial for Jude was the timing of his forward runs and he has the ability to slip through challenges and he is just a brilliant competitor. He’s not worried about the environment,” said Southgate, who confirmed Marc Guehi was substituted midway through the match. time with an injury.
Bellingham himself added: ‘To be honest, I wasn’t happy with how I played against Ukraine in Poland. I think I showed a level that was nowhere near my best and I think that’s actually the motivation to try to get back to your best.
“I think that was close tonight. I used the last game as motivation and knew that tonight was more than just a friendly, for the fans and bragging rights and all that stuff, so I knew I had to be almost at my best today so that the England fans go home happy could go.’
Mail Sports columnist Graeme Souness added: ‘This is the first time I’ve seen Jude Bellingham live. When I stood in the center circle before the match and looked at him. When I played he would have been a big midfielder. I would be a small midfielder today.
‘He has everything, that young boy. Absolutely everything. And how good can he be at the age of twenty? He has that steady head on his shoulders and was outstanding tonight.”
Former England midfielder Joe Cole said: ‘We have a gem, we just need to put him in a system that gets the best out of him.
‘I like it when he plays close to Harry Kane, Graeme likes it when he plays a little deeper, with someone else in, but I think he and Harry Kane need to build an understanding of where the space is if Harry drops out. there for him to attack space and score goals.
“He’s got a taste for goals now, you know, and if you look at him in his interview, I think he wants to play closer to goal. All attacking players do that.
‘I think it will be horses for courses, certain games he can play deeper, maybe if we have to break down a certain team, but knowing Gareth, if he were to play a quarter-final against France tomorrow, I’m pretty sure he would go for the sixes and Jude as a 10. But it just gives you options.
‘I don’t think we’ve had a player of his quality for a very long time. He is the absolute world elite, with a chance of becoming a Ballon d’Or winner.’
Bellingham said he thoroughly enjoyed his play in the number 10 role against Scotland.
Andy Robertson’s attempted clearance fell to Bellingham and he pushed home the second
Bellingham set up England captain Harry Kane (second from right) late on for the third goal
When asked if it was his best role, he replied: “I think tonight was pretty close.” It depends on the system we play and it’s difficult because we have so many players that we have to take into account and get the best out of, so it shouldn’t just be based on what I do really well.
“The team must always come first and I do my best to fit in and do what the gaffer wants from me. I think this one was probably a little more appropriate than the weekend – no hints for the gaffer (laughs) but I really enjoyed playing that position tonight.”
The Real Madrid star was also happy to get on the scoresheet.
He added: “I think it’s mainly a freedom role. If you look at my performances in Madrid so far, they are quite complete because I get the freedom from the great teammates, coaching staff and manager that I have. They help me to be everywhere on the pitch and get into the penalty area to finish the chances and also create them, and I think I can do all that quite well. I can do much better and I’m trying to prove that to all of you.’