Jude Bellingham on a mission as England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham has carried England through this World Cup with six goals and exemplary poise, and he will be central when they face Argentina in Wednesday's semi-final at 21:00.

England edged Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami on Saturday, Bellingham scoring twice and sealing progression with his second. L'Équipe notes that team-mates focused on his fight, mentality and resilience rather than only the goals.

Over the past month he has added an assist and repeatedly changed matches, including Panama in the group stage, 2-0 on 27 June, and Mexico in the last 16, 3-2 on 5 July, carrying colleagues with him.

The scale evokes Kylian Mbappé's tournament, eight goals and three assists, and both have operated at comparable heights in North America despite different roles and ages, the Frenchman 27, the Englishman 23.

Nicknamed Unc, short for uncle, Bellingham now knits moves with Harry Kane, presses, and defends. He made seven recoveries against Panama and produced a first-half stoppage-time block on Cesar Montes against Mexico that Jordan Pickford judged as being as valuable as a goal.

Off the pitch he has spread credit, praising team-mates, the referee and Norway keeper Orjan Nyland. He then questioned Thomas Tuchel's criticism of the display, citing Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth, prompting speculation of tensions that Kane has since denied while stressing unity.

Source: L'Équipe