In a thrilling international friendly at Wembley Stadium, Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp goal secured a 2-2 draw for England against Belgium. After Youri Tielemans’ double had put the visitors in the driver’s seat, the young midfielder’s heroics ensured a share of the spoils in an entertaining England vs Belgium encounter.
First Half: A Tale of Two Tielemans Goals
The England vs Belgium match started brightly, with both teams showing attacking intent. Belgium drew first blood in the 11th minute when a miscued clearance by Jordan Pickford fell kindly for Tielemans, who calmly slotted the ball into the empty net. England responded quickly, earning a penalty just six minutes later when Jan Vertonghen brought down Ivan Toney in the box. The Brentford striker, making his first start for the national team, confidently converted the spot-kick for his debut goal.
Despite England’s energetic and vibrant display, a stark contrast to their lackluster performance against Brazil on Saturday, Belgium regained the lead just before halftime. Tielemans, again at the heart of the action, met a delightful cross from Romelu Lukaku with a diving header, leaving Pickford with no chance.
Second Half: England Pressure and Bellingham Brilliance
The second half of the England vs Belgium friendly saw England continue to create chances, with Toney, Bellingham, and Phil Foden all coming close to scoring. 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, making his first appearance for the senior team, impressed with his composure and creativity, making a strong case for inclusion in the upcoming Euros squad.
Belgium, however, defended resolutely and looked set to hold on for the victory. But in the dying moments of the match, substitute James Maddison whipped in a dangerous cross that found Bellingham in the box. The young star displayed remarkable composure, coolly slotting the ball past the Belgian goalkeeper to send the Wembley crowd into raptures.
Bellingham Relief and England Positives
After the England vs Belgium match, Bellingham expressed his relief at securing the draw, acknowledging the criticism the team would have faced after two consecutive losses. “We should be winning with all the chances we’ve made,” he said, “but these are two games that will stand us in good stead.” While acknowledging the disappointment of not securing a win, Bellingham emphasized the importance of taking positives from the performance.
The draw extends Belgium’s unbeaten run under coach Domenico Tedesco to 12 games, while England can take heart from their improved display and the emergence of young talents like Bellingham and Mainoo. While questions remain about the team’s consistency, the resilience and offensive intent shown against Belgium offer promising signs for the future.
This thrilling England vs Belgium encounter served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the importance of fighting until the final whistle. Bellingham’s late equalizer not only salvaged a draw for England but also highlighted his immense potential and growing importance to the national team.
Holabet News is your trusted online betting site in Singapore. Your winning journey starts here!