Jude Bellingham has delivered 12 goal contributions in his last 12 appearances for the England national team, with detiksport reporting that the Real Madrid midfielder has recorded eight goals and four assists across that span, anchoring a Three Lions side that recently routed Croatia 7-0 at Stadion HNK Rijeka on October 3, 2026.
Bellingham Dominates Croatia With Historic Three-Assist Display
During the UEFA Nations League Group C fixture in Rijeka, Bellingham orchestrated a commanding 7-0 victory by scoring once and providing three assists on October 3, 2026. IDN Times noted that the performance made him just the sixth England player in the 21st century to record three assists in a single match, joining a selective group that includes Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Wayne Rooney. Bellingham set up Bukayo Saka with a cutback in the 45th minute before delivering a long pass for Morgan Rogers in the 87th minute. Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling had previously recorded three assists in a match during a win where he set up Harry Kane in the 19th minute and Jadon Sancho in the 44th and 45+1st minutes, while the player before Bellingham to achieve the feat was Trent Alexander-Arnold when he created England’s final three goals in a 10-0 win on November 15, 2021, following historical instances from earlier eras such as Johnny Haynes accomplishing the feat on May 9, 1956 against Brazil and October 8, 1960 against Northern Ireland.
CNN Indonesia reported that manager Thomas Tuchel praised the midfielder’s trajectory following the win. Tuchel stated that the player’s level had risen to a different tier over recent months, emphasizing that players cannot stand still in professional football. Winger Bukayo Saka echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that Bellingham’s display was special and that he deserved the player-of-the-match accolades.
Tuchel Grants Tactical Freedom Inside the Penalty Area
Tuchel has restructured his tactical approach to give Bellingham considerable license to operate inside the opponent’s penalty area. detiksport outlined that when Harry Kane faces defensive pressure or tight marking, Bellingham consistently emerges as a secondary option capable of shifting the momentum of a fixture. Tuchel described the midfielder as the lifeblood of the team, highlighting his relentless drive and high confidence levels.
Goal.com detailed that Bellingham carried exceptional technical form into the international break following a strong start to the La Liga campaign with Real Madrid. Gary Lineker, speaking on the podcast “The Rest Is Football” as cited by Sport, suggested that Bellingham’s ball control and turning ability could eventually position him as the greatest player in English football history. Micah Richards added in the same discussion that while players like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden possess unique technical traits, Bellingham commands a maximum rating for his unwavering self-belief and all-around execution.
Rice Shows Leadership Qualities for Captaincy
Henry Winter described him as an exceptional role model capable of handling elite pressure, noting that his character and professionalism make him well-suited to wear the captain’s armband.
What Comes Next for England
England continues its UEFA Nations League campaign while managing squad rotation and fitness ahead of upcoming international windows. Tuchel and his coaching staff evaluate tactical configurations and personnel availability as the team prepares for its next scheduled fixtures on the international calendar.
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