Bellingham: 'We hit the mark'

Jude Bellingham praised England’s second half showing in a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas to kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Real Madrid midfielder – who became the youngest European player to play in four major international tournaments – got on the scoresheet in the second half.

And it was in that second period that Thomas Tuchel’s side came into their own.

"I think the second half, especially, we really showed what we are about and the team we want to be was shown in the second half,” reflected Bellingham.

“The first half was still a bit nervy, a bit cagey, I think we set up well defensively, pressed well and our intensity without the ball was good but with the ball we probably rushed a little bit.

“In the second half, we created a nicer rhythm and that's where you saw the rest of us.

“I think the second half was more than flashes. I think the constant level of intensity without the ball was top level, the subs who came on were unbelievable Rashy, Morgs, Bukayo, pressing from the front even with a minute left in added time.

“That is the mentality we are trying to create within the group. We hit the mark."

Head coach Tuchel addressed his players at the break and the 22 year old revealed how it motivated the team.

"The speech wasn't one of those where it was big drama – he wasn't standing up and shouting,” said Bellingham. “It was just what the team needed.

“We have a mature group with good leaders and I think everyone knew the level we had to get to and why we weren't hitting it. We were very clear in the second half and the early goal in the second half gave us a very good platform.”

It took just two minutes for England to re-take the lead in the second period through Bellingham, netting England’s third goal of the game to restore the Three Lions’ lead.

"I don't remember all 23 passes (in the build-up to his goal),” he said, talking through the move. “I remember Elliott's, which was brilliant and Noni was trying to take it off my toe, but no chance! I took it into the box and put it away.

“The work that goes into creating those types of plays takes us weeks to get right and credit to the manager and his staff, they have put us in the position to be in our best places to make the difference.”

Bellingham expressed his pride at representing England at yet another tournament and he could reach 50 caps for his country in the Three Lions’ next Group L match-up against Ghana on Tuesday 23 June (9pm BST kick-off).

"It's my responsibility to my team and my country to give everything I have when I cross the line and when I wear that badge on the front, that No.10 on the back, I want to give everything I have, with and without the ball to the team,” he added.

“It's been a long season for me, I've probably missed more camps than I would have liked, more training that I would have liked but I like to think I've always got something in me where I know when it comes to this time, I'll step up for my team.”