Late Bellingham goal rescues draw for England

Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp equaliser spared England a second successive Wembley defeat after defensive errors threatened to cost them dearly in the friendly against Belgium.

They showed promise up front but vulnerability at the back, which was punished ruthlessly by Belgium before Bellingham’s dramatic intervention seconds from time.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a rare error, his first to cost a goal in 60 international appearances, when his poor clearance led to Youri Tielemans putting Belgium ahead after 11 minutes.

Ivan Toney marked his first England start with the equaliser from the spot six minutes later, opening his international account after he had been brought down by veteran Jan Vertonghen.

Jarrod Bowen had a close-range header ruled out for offside, before another England error saw Belgium restore their lead nine minutes before the break.

Lewis Dunk’s mistake allowed Romelu Lukaku to provide the perfect cross for Tielemans to head in at the far post.

England, with 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo making an excellent first England start, had chances of their own with Bellingham twice off target when he should have done better and Phil Foden driving across the face of goal when well placed.

Belgium keeper Matz Sels saved well from Bowen before Bellingham made amends for his earlier misses when he drove home a low finish with virtually the last kick of the game to give England a deserved draw.

Mainoo & Toney stake claims

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo may just have solved one of manager Southgate’s big conundrums with a performance of maturity and quality on his first England start.

Southgate is still searching for the perfect midfield combination and Mainoo showed the confidence that has marked his performances at United this season and was assured throughout before he was substituted.

The combination of Mainoo and Declan Rice playing behind the roaming Bellingham looks an attractive one and the youngster must surely be on the plane to Germany at least, perhaps even a starter.

Brentford striker Toney also did his chances no harm in the battle with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins to go to Euro 2024 as Harry Kane’s understudy with a fine display, showing good touches and his usual calmness from the penalty spot to score his first England goal.

It was not such a good night for Brighton defender Dunk, who made another mistake leading to Belgium’s second goal, having also been involved in Brazil’s winner in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly loss.

Dunk now faces the agonising prospect of missing out on selection for Germany. It has not been a good international break for the centre-back who has performed with such distinction for Brighton.

West Ham United forward Bowen was another England stand-out performer, but he faces an anxious wait to see whether he can force his way into the squad in a position where there is so much competition.

Bellingham, though, once again demonstrated what a power he will be for England in the tournament.

He may have missed chances he would normally have scored but he was a driving force, refusing to give up, eventually earning Southgate’s side the draw their performance merited.

The international break may well have cleared up a few questions for Southgate about the make-up of his defence, midfield and attack when he names his party for Germany – and for that alone it has been a worthwhile exercise.

Player of the match

MainooKobbie Mainoo

Belgium

1. Squad number8Player nameTielemans

2. Squad number7Player nameDoku

3. Squad number13Player nameSels

4. Squad number10Player nameLukaku

5. Squad number6Player nameOnana

6. Squad number5Player nameVertonghen

7. Squad number11Player nameTrossard

8. Squad number21Player nameCastagne

9. Squad number18Player nameMangala

10. Squad number2Player nameDebast

11. Squad number3Player nameTheate

12. Squad number4Player nameFaes

13. Squad number15Player nameMeunier

14. Squad number14Player nameDodi Lukebakio

15. Squad number9Player nameOpenda

16. Squad number22Player nameVranckx

17. Squad number23Player nameBatshuayi