Jude: 'We needed to get the first goal'
The 19-year-old midfielder was in good form again as the Three Lions overcame the current African champions by 3-0 in their first knockout game.
And Bellingham played a key role in the opening goal, after his forward run and cross was finished off by midfield partner Jordan Henderson before he also played a part in Harry Kane’s second.
“It was one of those games where we needed to get the first goal we knew after we did that we'd be in a good position,” said the Borussia Dortmund man.
“The first 35 minutes were tough, they were really compact, tough to get through, high energy and really athletic and with the ball. They got in a few times down the side.
“But the goal was really well worked, we went down the left-hand side with a few flicks and when H [Harry Kane] drops deep, I know that he can find anyone on the pitch, so it was just important that I timed my run right.
“When I get into those areas, I'm always confident that the boys around me are taking up brilliant positions and I just had to feed any of them really. I saw a bit of white in my periphery and then just gave the ball to where I thought they would be.”
With confidence growing among the squad as they turn their attention to next Saturday’s quarter-final with France, Bellingham admits it’s going to be a case of taking their current form into the next stage.
“Obviously we've shown we can score goals, we can be clinical when it matters,” he added.
“We scored at really good times. We showed that we can keep a clean sheet yet again and if we want to win the next one, that'll be that'll be very important.”
England's next game against France will take place at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday 10 December, kicking-off at 7pm GMT and the game will be shown live on ITV in the UK.
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