Jude Bellingham has elevated his game to elite status, delivering a masterclass as England dismantled Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League. The 23-year-old was instrumental in the victory at Rijeka, scoring once and providing a hat-trick of assists. His performance marked the first time since Trent Alexander-Arnold in November 2021 that an England player has recorded three assists in a single international fixture. But the way he helped England to dismantle Croatia 7-0 in the Nations League on Saturday looked like someone perhaps reaching a new level, he has already shown that he is world class with starring performances for club and country. He is an amazing footballer, at this moment in time. The way he is progressing as a player, I still think there is a lot more to come from him.
The display, which saw Bellingham finish the match wearing the captain’s armband, prompted praise from former England striker Ian Wright. “When Bellingham is on the pitch, he is always driving forward and going again and again,” Wright observed, highlighting the midfielder’s athleticism and constant threat in the box. Bukayo Saka, who benefited from a high-quality cross from Bellingham for his first goal, added that his teammate was “special” and deserved his recent accolades. His delivery, his goal threat, the package â his running power. England’s front four will share praise for the way in which they demolished the Croatian backline.
This resurgence represents a significant turnaround from just a year ago, when Bellingham’s place in the squad was far from guaranteed. After being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad in October 2025, questions persisted about his role under the German coach. However, Bellingham responded by becoming England’s top scorer during the World Cup, netting seven goals as the team reached the semi-finals and secured a third-place finish.
Following the Nations League triumph, Tuchel confirmed that he has adjusted his tactical approach since the World Cup, specifically by granting senior players like Bellingham increased responsibility. “You have to develop and you have to push for the next level, otherwise other teams will catch up,” Tuchel explained, noting that the performance served as a way to move forward after their semi-final exit against Argentina.
Roy Keane, appearing on ITV, went as far as to suggest the Real Madrid star has the potential to become one of the greatest players in football history. Keane emphasized that Bellingham’s value extends beyond his technical brilliance, pointing to his work rate out of possession as a vital leadership trait that inspires his teammates. Currently voted England’s player of the year for two consecutive seasons, Bellingham is now firmly established as the primary creative force in the squad. According to bellingham, recently voted England’s player of the year for the second year in a row, is now “nailed on as the 10” for the future, former England defender Matt Upson, Radio 5 Live.
The match was also a productive outing for other key figures in the England setup. Harry Kane, who moved to 89 international goals, scored twice, as did Bukayo Saka, while Anthony Gordon contributed both a goal and an assist. Kane, who is set to potentially equal Peter Shilton’s all-time England appearance record in the upcoming match against the Czech Republic at Wembley, remains a cornerstone of the team, though the passing of the armband to Bellingham in the final 20 minutes signaled the growing influence of the younger star. The 33-year-old again showed how irreplaceable he is for England, but, when he was rested with 20 minutes to go, it was Bellingham who took the captain’s armband, in moving to 89 goals for his country. And that highlighted the younger man’s importance as a leader within the squad.
