Bellingham stars in England’s 7-0 rout of Croatia and receives 'greatest' praise
October 3, 2026 23:40
WHAT HAPPENED
Bellingham opened the scoring and finished the game with three assists, becoming the first England player to record three assists in a single match since Trent Alexander-Arnold against San Marino in November 2021. He wore the captain’s armband after Harry Kane was rested with about 20 minutes remaining. Kane finished with two goals; Bukayo Saka also scored twice, while Anthony Gordon both scored and assisted.
KEY CONTEXT
Just a year earlier Bellingham had been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in October 2025 and his place at the World Cup had been questioned. He went on to make the tournament squad and finished as England’s top scorer with seven goals as the side reached the semi-finals and placed third. He was recently voted England’s player of the year for a second consecutive season.
REACTIONS
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said: "Bellingham can go on to be one of the greatest players of all time." Keane added praise for his running power, delivery and goal threat, and said there was more to come. Ian Wright highlighted Bellingham’s athleticism, technical ability and intensity, saying he "never lets up" and is consistently in the box.
Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live that Bellingham is now "nailed on as the 10" for the future. Manager Thomas Tuchel suggested the display showed the player has reached another level: "Yes, at the moment it seems like it... You have to develop and you have to push for the next level, otherwise other teams will catch up." Tuchel also said he had "adjusted some things" since the World Cup and given players, including Bellingham, "a lot of responsibility".
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
England return to Wembley on Tuesday to face the Czech Republic, when Harry Kane can equal Peter Shilton’s all-time England men’s appearance record.