Before the tournament, Jude Bellingham’s spot in England’s World Cup XI was debated, with the exceptional form of his childhood friend, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, adding pressure.
Tuchel rightly concluded England couldn’t afford to omit Bellingham’s quality and major-tournament know-how.
That call paid off: he struck a vital goal in the opening win over Croatia and then, even more tellingly, produced a game-changing display at New York New Jersey Stadium against a stubborn Panama.
Bellingham operated alongside Rogers as Tuchel rested Declan Rice, who was managing a hamstring issue and already on a yellow card.
Their attacking tilt occasionally left Elliot Anderson stretched as the lone pivot, but Bellingham’s brilliance made the setup work.
Despite Panama’s attempts to needle his fiery side, Bellingham set the tone—forcing in the first goal, then delivering the cross for Harry Kane’s headed second, which moved England’s captain to a record 11 World Cup finals goals, one above Gary Lineker.
Bellingham and Kane have now provided the decisive moments against both Croatia and Panama—exactly what England needed.
Marcus Rashford, deservedly handed a start after two flat displays from Barcelona’s new arrival Anthony Gordon, was England’s liveliest outlet before halftime, forcing a stop from Orlando Mosquera, heading narrowly over, and curling a free-kick just wide.
Still, frustration grew until Bellingham’s industry and class produced the breakthrough, capping a man-of-the-match showing that he further gilded with his assist for Kane.
If England are to win the World Cup, they will need Bellingham operating at full brilliance—and this performance suggests he’s ready to deliver.