Jude Bellingham struck at the death to salvage England a deserved draw against Belgium on a night of impressive auditions in the final match before Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 selection.
Three days on from the late loss to Brazil, the absentee-hit Euro 2020 runners-up faced another high-level test as the side third in FIFA’s world rankings hosted the team in fourth.
England were heading for another Wembley defeat after Youri Tielemans punished first-half errors either side of Ivan Toney’s penalty, only for Bellingham to secure a 2-2 draw in stoppage time.
JUDE BELLINGHAM RESCUES ENGLAND WITH THE LAST KICK 🤯#ThreeLions #ENGBEL pic.twitter.com/a8nstwioXu
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) March 26, 2024
Toney did well on his first start, as did fellow full debutants Ezri Konsa and, in particular, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo in the final friendly before Southgate names an expanded Euros squad on May 21.
The England boss has plenty of food for thought after a night of promise and problems, which started with John Stones limping off and Tielemans capitalising on a Jordan Pickford error in a nightmare first 11 minutes.
England rallied and quickly levelled as Toney converted the penalty he won, before Jarrod Bowen saw a first international goal ruled out for offside.
What a moment for Ivan Toney, a goal on his full England debut 🥶#ThreeLions | #ENGBEL | @AskNationwide pic.twitter.com/3QAwnIDBTB
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) March 26, 2024
Southgate’s side continued strongly, but Lewis Dunk’s failed attempt to cut out a long ball allowed Romelu Lukaku to superbly cross for Tielemans to head Belgium back ahead.
England responded impressively after the break but looked set to fall short until Bellingham’s stoppage-time strike.
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