GELSENKIRCHEN: Jude Bellingham showed why he has been hailed as the key to England’s Euro 2024 challenge with a masterful display capped by the winning goal in their 1-0 victory against Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke on Sunday. Bellingham arrived at the European Championship heralded as one of the world’s best young players after enjoying the season of his life at Real Madrid. The 20-year-old lived up to the hype as his influential performance ensured England started their bid for a first major trophy in 58 years in winning fashion.
“It’s really special to score any time for England, especially a match-winning goal and one that can hopefully help us do well in the tournament,” he said. From the moment he burst onto the scene at Birmingham at the age of 16, Bellingham has been on a remarkable rise that shows no signs of abating. Bellingham helped Madrid beat his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final earlier in June and was named La Liga’s Player of the Year after starring in the club’s latest domestic triumph.
Bellingham’s 19 league goals for Real this term showcased his transformation into a genuine penalty area threat, a valuable weapon along with his smooth passing and indefatigable work rate. He took just 13 minutes to underline the point in their Group C opener against Serbia. Bellingham started the move in midfield with a measured pass to Kyle Walker before sprinting into the penalty area to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross with a superb d.
