Jude Bellingham stole the show with a goal and an assist as England stretched their unbeaten run against Scotland to 24 years with a 3-1 friendly victory to mark the 150th anniversary of the first encounter between the nations. The match was a celebration of the first time England and Scotland competed against one another.
The Three Lions were able to quiet the noise of Hampden Park and end Scotland’s winning streak of five games on Tuesday with to goals from Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and other team members.
Following strong victories over Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway in recent months, the hosts had high hopes of a famous triumph in the oldest international event in football. This would bring them one step closer to qualifying for Euro 2024.
However, Scotland had a disappointing evening as England showed that they are in a league of their own.
The Real Madrid midfielder reveled in the number 10 role that he has shone in for the Spanish giants in the early parts of the season, and Gareth Southgate selected Bellingham as his outstanding player because of his performance in that capacity.
“It’s just a freedom role really,” said Bellingham about the position. “I am aware that it is dependent on the system that we play, and we have a large number of outstanding players to accommodate.
“The needs of the team must always come first. It was a great experience for me to play in that position today.”
On the eve of the game, Southgate praised the 116th meeting between the two teams as the revival of a “great sporting rivalry.” This will be the 116th time that the two teams have competed against one another.
However, the uglier aspect of the rivalry that existed between the two groups of fans was on display even before a ball was kicked.
The English national song was drowned out by a chorus of booing, and then the away fans interrupted a minute of silence that was being held for the former manager of Scotland, Craig Brown.
– “Take your medicine” – Once the action started, Scotland were a distant second to England, even though it took England almost a half an hour to make their superiority apparent in the scoreline.
“We knew playing against England was going to be difficult but if you want to learn as a team, you have to play against the best teams,” said Scotland head Steve Clarke. “If you want to learn as a team, you have to play against the best teams.”
“We didn’t want to lose to our old foe, but sometimes in football you have to take your medicine,” said one player. “We were hoping to win,” said another.
During his pre-match comments, Southgate pondered aloud whether or not Foden has a future playing in the central midfield position.
However, he scored just his fourth goal for his country to break the tie after sneaking into the middle of the field after beginning the game on the right side of the field.
After scoring his first goal for England in the previous game against Ukraine, Manchester City teammate Kyle Walker was this time the one who set up his colleague for the goal by driving the ball in on goal with a cross.
After just two minutes, Scotland’s hopes were dashed by a blow that they had inflicted upon themselves.
Because of Andy Robertson’s sloppy touch inside his own box, Bellingham was given an opportunity that, given his current level of play, he was never going to pass up.
The twenty-year-old forward, who came to Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, has scored six goals in as many matches for both his club and his country so far this season. He currently leads all scorers in both categories.
After the halftime break, Scotland ramped up their effort, and they were rewarded with a goal scored off of another one of Harry Maguire’s mistakes.
After being criticized for his play, the center back for Manchester United turned a cross from Robertson into his own net with 23 minutes remaining.
After then, John McGinn missed a golden opportunity to tie the game by heading it over the goal line.
Bellingham was the one pulling the strings in the middle of the field for England, which allowed them to quickly regain control of the game.
Angus Gunn made an outstanding save to prevent substitute Eberechi Eze from scoring his maiden goal for his country in an international competition.
However, the goalkeeper for Norwich was unable to prevent Kane from scoring his 59th goal, which he did after a dribbling run by Bellingham freed up space for him in the Scotland defense.