Jude Bellingham has been collecting historic milestones the way most people collect streaming subscriptions. On June 17, the Real Madrid midfielder added another one to the pile: his first FIFA World Cup goal, scored in the opening minute of the second half as England dismantled Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener at Dallas Stadium.
The goal gave England a 3-2 lead at a moment when the match was balanced on a knife’s edge.
How Bellingham changed the game
At halftime, the scoreline sat at a tense 2-2. Then the second half kicked off, and Bellingham decided he’d had enough of the equilibrium.
His goal came in the first minute after the break. A powerful solo run from the right channel, the kind of drive that has become his signature at club level, ended with the ball in the Croatian net.
