‘We hit the mark today’ – Jude Bellingham after helping England to opening World Cup win | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham says England set the standard for future performances in the second half of their win over Croatia.

Bellingham scored the third of his side’s four goals, after Harry Kane netted a first-half double and Rashford grabbed a fourth later on in the second half.

Despite Kane’s first-half double, England found themselves level at the break before Bellingham struck early in the second half, and the Real Madrid man admits that while his preparation for the World Cup has not been ideal, he is always confident he can deliver on the big stage.

“It’s my responsibility to my team and to my country to give everything I have when I cross that line and wear that badge on the front and the number ten on the back,” he said.

“I want to try and give everything I have with and without the ball to the team.

“It’s been a long season for me. I missed more (England) camps than I would have liked and more games than I would have liked but I think I’ve always got something in me when it comes to this time and I’ll step up for my team-mates.”

Speaking after the game, captain Kane credited boss Thomas Tuchel for his half-time advice in achieving the victory, and Bellingham believes his side can take huge encouragement from the way they performed after the restart.

“I think the second half was more than flashes, to be honest,” he said. “I think the constant level of intensity without the ball was top level and the subs who came on were unbelievable. Rashy (Rashford), Morgs (Rogers), Bukayo (Saka), pressing from the front even with a minute left of added time.

“That’s the mentality we want to create in the group and we hit the mark today.”