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Jude Bellingham stood still for a moment after the final whistle, taking it all in. He looked up toward the stands, where a sea of England supporters had made the long journey to the scorching city of Dallas. The fans were in full voice, singing Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’, the sound echoing perfectly around the indoor Dallas Stadium. A brief smile crossed Bellingham’s face — he knew he had been the difference-maker against Croatia.

His second-half strike, set up by a wonderful pass from Elliot Anderson and finished with a powerful surge down the right flank, gave England a 3-2 lead not long after the restart. It was a goal full of determination and authority, showcasing the Real Madrid midfielder’s unmatched speed, strength, and composure.

That is precisely what Bellingham adds to this England side. The Three Lions boast immense individual quality, including Ballon d’Or frontrunner Harry Kane, yet Bellingham brings an extra layer of confidence and control — the sense that he can seize a match whenever he chooses. For fifteen crucial minutes last Wednesday, he did exactly that.

Proving his place

Just days before England’s 2026 World Cup opener, it wasn’t even certain that Bellingham would start. Thomas Tuchel made it clear that the battle between Bellingham and Morgan Rogers for a midfield spot was wide open, even preferring the Aston Villa midfielder over Birmingham-born Bellingham in November’s game against Serbia.

Tuchel’s awkward remarks about his own mother’s supposed ‘repulsion’ towards Bellingham had stirred talk of tension between the manager and his star player. After the match in Dallas, though, Tuchel’s fondness for Rogers was unmistakable.

“The tough, tough decision was to tell Rogers that he wouldn’t start, because he absolutely deserved to start,” Tuchel admitted to reporters.

A game of two halves

Tuchel ultimately handed Bellingham the start, but the England midfield struggled to find rhythm in the first half. Despite outshooting Croatia, the Three Lions saw less of the ball and were less precise in possession compared to Luka Modric and company.

At half-time, Tuchel described his team talk as “calm”, though that seems unlikely given assistant coach Anthony Barry’s criticism of England’s “complicated and confusing” opening period. Barry claimed the players grew “fearful”, suggesting the interval discussion was anything but quiet.

Whatever was said clearly worked — particularly for Bellingham. England’s third goal was a textbook example of Tuchel’s desired style: Declan Rice stretched play wide, Anderson threaded a perfect pass down the line, and Bellingham surged forward to finish with authority.

From that point, England took control, with Bellingham dictating play. He completed every dribble he attempted and delivered three key passes into the attacking third.

Perhaps more impressive was his defensive contribution. Bellingham tracked back tirelessly and, at one stage, made a crunching tackle that reignited the energy in the stadium.

A true team performer

It’s also worth noting that Bellingham demonstrated his versatility in the second half. When Rice was substituted with what Tuchel later described as a ‘sort of discomfort’, Bellingham shifted into a deeper role alongside Anderson while Rogers stepped up as the No.10.

The match became scrappier after that, but Bellingham thrived in the physical battle. His athleticism shone through, as his running, strength, and tackling proved vital in maintaining England’s intensity.

“You can rely on Jude in these moments,” Tuchel said afterwards. “He loves pressure games — that’s when he’s at his best. It’s easy to trust him, especially after seeing how he’s embraced the ideas of team spirit and brotherhood over the last couple of weeks.”

That final comment revealed much about Bellingham’s evolution. The 22-year-old’s fierce competitiveness and emotional drive — which sometimes lead to heated exchanges with teammates or referees — have occasionally raised eyebrows. But against Croatia, he channelled that emotion into a controlled yet commanding display, the kind of energy Tuchel and England will need in this tournament.

‘No grudges held’

When questioned about perceptions of his attitude and playing style, the former Borussia Dortmund star admitted he’s using this tournament to remind the football world of his quality — the same that earned him Ballon d’Or recognition in 2024.

“I think I’ve got a bit of a chip on my shoulder, haven’t I? And you play your best football when you’re like that,” Bellingham said, referencing reports suggesting he might be dropped. “It helps me focus and find that intensity early in the game.

“I know it’s part of the job. I don’t hold grudges against people who criticise me — sometimes I deserve it. But today was about showing everyone what I’m really about.”

Challenges ahead

If Bellingham can replicate his Dallas performance throughout the tournament, England could well live up to pre-World Cup expectations and make a serious run under Tuchel. His influence in attack has already sparked optimism ahead of the upcoming fixtures — starting Tuesday against Ghana and concluding the group stage against Panama on Saturday.

Tuchel still faces crucial selection choices. Before the Croatia match, he described the Bellingham-Rogers battle as “50-50”, suggesting Bellingham’s place isn’t guaranteed if his form dips.

“Jude was reliable and gave everything to be a top team player,” the manager said after the win. That reliability will need to continue when England take on the Black Stars in Boston.

Still a point to prove

Tuchel’s approach has always been to ensure Bellingham doesn’t get too comfortable. Even if he is England’s potential saviour, Tuchel rarely lets him feel it — not even after a commanding second-half display in a major World Cup clash.

That may be exactly what brings the best out of Bellingham. At Real Madrid, his finest performances have come when he’s had something to prove — as seen during his explosive start at the club and his standout moments in high-stakes games.

Could that competitive drive cause friction at times? Possibly. But this is the environment in which Bellingham excels. If that edge fuels him, it might just power England forward too. His knowing smile at full-time said everything.