Jude Bellingham has blown the lid off English football history books with a record-breaking strike that left the Stade de France breathless. The pint-sized powerhouse from Birmingham etched his name alongside the all-time greats with a breathtaking late goal in England's pulsating 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off.
Bellingham, now a proud owner of seven World Cup goals – and one of them was simply sublime – has left Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, and other legends in his wake. The Real Madrid midfielder, just 23 years young, rewrote the record books with a masterclass performance that will be etched in fans' memories for years to come.
The decisive goal arrived with the clock ticking down, a moment of unadulterated magic that summed up Bellingham's tournament. Introduced as a substitute in the 79th minute, he unleashed his lightning-fast pace, leaving a French defender in his wake before slotting the ball into the bottom corner – a finish that would have put even the greats to shame.
Danny Murphy, a former England midfielder, praised Bellingham's display, saying on BBC One: "What a goal from England's best player! He has such confidence in his own ability. The patience, the skill, the shot – it was pure class." But for Bellingham, this record wasn't just about personal glory; it was about leading by example and driving his team towards collective success.
Earlier in the match, he showed a selfless streak when he stepped aside to allow Bukayo Saka to take the penalty that sealed the Arsenal winger's hat-trick. "No, Jude was never taking it," Saka confirmed afterwards. "He said go and get your hat-trick – that's exactly what I did." This display of maturity underlined Bellingham's status as England's leading light.
Beyond his World Cup record, Bellingham also equalled the overall record for most goals by an Englishman at a major tournament. Only Alan Shearer (Euro 2000) and Harry Kane (Euro 2024), both of whom netted seven times in their respective tournaments, now stand alongside him.