Bellingham brings relief for England
With virtually the last kick of the match, England salvaged a 2-2 draw against Belgium in the second of their two internationals in preparation for the European championship this summer. After suffering defeat three days earlier against Brazil, England’s blushes were spared with highly-rated Jude Bellingham’s equaliser with seconds remaining of added time.
Knowing the barrage of criticism England would face had it been two quick defeats on home soil from two games, Bellingham said: “I know the rubbish we would have got if we would have lost two games on the bounce. These two games will stand us in good stead for the Euros. We will use the positives and learn from the negatives. We created a lot of chances tonight. I had one where I should have scored so I’m happy to make it up to the team.”
He added: “But we really should be winning with all the chances we made. You trust everyone that comes into the squad and they are all good players. I am sure the manager will be happy with how we played. You’re never happy with a loss or a draw but we have to be with how we played.
“You have to keep perspective with these games, a lot of lads were making debuts. I know everyone will be negative about it but you have these games for what they are. You plan these games because you expect a fully-fit team and then players get injured. But I’m sure the boss is glad with the players he got to see because they were brilliant.”
Belgium took the lead in the 11th minute, a minute after the injured John Stones was replaced. It came about from a rare mistake by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford whose weak clearance went straight to Amadou Onana who promptly passed to Youri Tielemans to deliver a rightfooted shot into the far corner from 20 yards.
Belgium’s lead lasted just six minutes as Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo combined in a fine move to pass to Ivan Toney who was then brought down in the box by Jan Vertonghen and the resulting penalty was converted by Toney.
Within ten minutes of that England nearly went ahead but the headed ‘goal’ by Jarrod Bowen was ruled out by VAR for offside following a corner. It was, however, Belgium who went into the lead again nine minutes before the break with a brilliant goal.
Lewis Dunk was beaten as Tielemans passed to Romelu Lukaku on the right and raced ahead towards to back post, Lukaku then made a marvellous cross with the outside of his left-foot from which Tielemans produced a diving header into to the net.
England pressed hard for the equaliser. Bellingham missed a chance when his headed attempt from a pass by substitute Joe Gomez went wide.
He had also missed a good chance earlier when he shot over the bar from a ball that came to him after Mainoo had dispossessed Onana.
But Bellingham finally got England parity in a last-gasp with increased pressure. England had the ball in the penalty area and substitute James Maddison controlled it near the goal line before passing back to Bellingham who drove in his shot from twelve yards to England’s massive relief.
Belgium manager, Domenico Tedesco, said: “Of course I’m disappointed as with five seconds to go you could win at Wembley and that would be special.”