Jude Bellingham showed why he has been hailed as key to England’s Euro 2024 challenge with a masterful display capped off by the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday. Bellingham arrived at the European Championship considered one of the best young players in the world after enjoying the best season of his life at Real Madrid. The 20-year-old lived up to expectations as his influential performance ensured England began their campaign for their first major trophy in 58 years, winning at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen. From the moment he burst onto the scene in Birmingham at just 16, Bellingham has enjoyed a remarkable rise that shows no sign of slowing down.
Bellingham helped Real Madrid defeat his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at the start of June and was named La Liga Player of the Year after starring in the club’s latest domestic triumph.
Bellingham’s 19 league goals for Real this season have shown his transformation into a real threat in the box, a valuable weapon along with his smooth passing and tireless work rate.
It took him just 13 minutes to score the point in the Group C opener against Serbia.
Bellingham started the move in midfield with a measured pass to Kyle Walker before racing into the box to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross with a superb header that found the net from six yards.
After being mobbed by his teammates, Bellingham showed his comfort in the spotlight, soaking up the English fans’ adulation with his arms outstretched before running into the center circle to cheer on fans on the other side.
Scoring England’s first goal at a major tournament is nothing new for Bellingham, who headed the first goal against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Bellingham is the first European player to appear in three major tournaments before turning 21, having previously played at Euro 2020 and the last World Cup.
Having become the youngest Englishman to play at a major tournament four years ago, Bellingham is also the second man, after Michael Owen, to score at the World Cup and European Championships before the age of 21.
Despite his young age, Bellingham is already so influential in England that he was named part of manager Gareth Southgate’s four-man ‘leadership group’ ahead of the tournament.
Serbia failed to contain Bellingham and veteran Nemanja Gudelj received a yellow card after resorting to a rude foul on the midfielder.
Bellingham is not a shy person and attacked Filip Kostic in a heated confrontation that emphasized his refusal to be intimidated.
With 56 touches in the first half – compared to just two by England captain Harry Kane – the relentless Bellingham was the Three Lions’ driving force.
England’s European campaign was beginning in what was once known as the “city of a thousand fires.”
And Bellingham brightened up the drab surroundings of the industrial heart of Gelsenkirchen in such a vibrant way that it is difficult to imagine England’s stay in Germany being a slow process.
He remained a blur of clever movements in the second half to keep Serbia in check as England held out despite a nervy finish.
Fittingly, he received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the final moments.
Bellingham already has a mural in his hometown of Stourbridge – a tribute that could well be turned into a statue if England get their hands on the trophy in Berlin on July 14.
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