Jude Bellingham praised England’s fighting spirit after producing a Player of the Match performance in the Three Lions dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
The midfielder scored twice and made a crucial goal line clearance as England battled with 10 men to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter finals, where they will face Norway.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Bellingham reflected on one of the most memorable victories of his international career.
“Hard to gather it all together really. With 10 men defending how we defended our box, being clinical how we were in their box. Big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second. The players who came on, the players that started, running themselves into the ground and giving everything. That is what what this team is about.”
The Real Madrid star also paid tribute to the incredible atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca, describing it as the best he has experienced while representing England.
“The atmosphere was by far the best I have played against in international football. This country as a footballing country is magnificent. The reception we had coming off the plane, although it was hostile, it was beautiful to see how passionate one country can be about their team.”
Bellingham chose not to dwell on the controversial refereeing decisions that frustrated England throughout the contest, instead focusing on his team’s resilience.
“The refereeing decisions, it is what it is. It’s the World Cup and they are human too. As easy as it is to say now, they are human, we made a lot more than they did, but no worries we got through.”
While his first half brace grabbed the headlines, Jude Bellingham admitted his goal line clearance before the interval could have been just as important in securing England’s victory.
“It could have been. At 2-1 the game was still there, especially when they scored. It felt like the stadium almost collapsed. So it was probably an important clearance, just as important as the goals, but this win is far more than me. It is the players that came on, the supporters who have come to Mexico and probably had a difficult journey and paid hard earned money. It is a whole country’s performance.”
The 22 year old also looked ahead to England’s quarter final meeting with Norway but insisted the squad would first take time to enjoy a memorable night.
“It is still one game at a time. At the end of the day it is just a round of 16 win. The quarter-final Norway pose a different threat, some that we know really well, some world class players in there, so we will have to be ready. My god if you can’t enjoy a night like this, just for one night, then I don’t know what it’s worth.”
The celebrations after the final whistle reflected the magnitude of England’s achievement. The players climbed over the barriers to celebrate with their travelling supporters before joining them in singing Oasis classic “Wonderwall”, which has become the team’s anthem during the tournament.
With confidence soaring after one of their finest World Cup performances in recent memory, England now turn their attention to Norway as they chase a place in the semi finals.
