Jude Bellingham took a corner, nodded it into the net, then turned provider for Harry Kane – a complete performance that confirmed his status as England's indispensable star at this World Cup.
The 22-year-old, who turns 23 on Monday, scored the opener and set up the second in England's 2-0 win over Panama, a result that sends Thomas Tuchel's side into the last 32 against DR Congo. It was the latest act in a growing list of clutch moments: the 95th-minute overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024, the goal in Italy in October 2023 that sealed qualification, and England's first goal of the 2022 World Cup against Iran.
“Jude Bellingham scored and assisted as England beat Panama 2-0, with Thomas Tuchel praising his 'sweet spot' form.”
“I'm not sure if it's a reaction,” Tuchel said of Bellingham's display, “but it is what we want from him. He was very positive from the first day in camp.”
The England manager had spoken before the tournament of Bellingham being in a “sweet spot” of form. Against Panama, the Real Madrid midfielder was asked to do something different. With Declan Rice absent through injury, Bellingham played a deeper box-to-box role in the first half, supporting Elliott Anderson at the base of midfield. England's shape on the ball fluctuated between a 3-2-5 and a 3-1-6, depending on how Bellingham read the game.
“He played as a 10 when we had the ball,” Tuchel explained, “and we wanted to have six players in the last line” – an attempt to outnumber Panama's back five. In the second half, Bellingham pushed forward, allowing Morgan Rogers to occupy the No10 position. It was from a corner – Bukayo Saka's delivery – that Bellingham rose to head England in front, before providing the assist for Kane to seal the victory.
Tuchel has compared Bellingham to the world's finest – Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior – and the statistics back it up. But it is the intelligence behind the numbers that sets him apart. “His ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck, seize the moment and then make things happen is his genius,” John Cross wrote in the Mirror. Bellingham has exposed the myth that he is not a team player; his celebration pictures show him either hugging or being hugged.
Against Panama, his legs were saved for the knockout tie with DR Congo. Tuchel wants even more from his main man, but for now, Bellingham is owning England's stage.