Bellingham Addresses Criticism After Scoring in England's 4-2 Victory Over Croatia

Jude Bellingham, who scored England's third goal in a 4-2 victory over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, spoke candidly about the scrutiny he has faced while emphasizing his unwavering commitment to his country. The match, played at the Dallas stadium, saw England secure a commanding win in their opening group fixture. Bellingham acknowledged having "a bit of resentment" about criticism directed at him, particularly regarding debates over his selection as a starter, but framed the negativity as motivation rather than distraction.

In an interview with the BBC following the match, Bellingham stated that it was "nice to put aside some of the noise" and demonstrate his commitment to his teammates and country. He reflected on the importance of his role, saying that contributing and helping both his team and his nation is "one of the greatest honours," and that external noise does not diminish that sense of purpose. The midfielder showed maturity in his response to criticism, asserting that he does not hold grudges against those who voice negative opinions, as he recognizes that "sometimes I deserve it."

Bellingham used the performance as an opportunity to remind observers of his capabilities, stating, "Today I think it was nice to try to show people and remind them who I am." His goal came early in the second half and proved crucial in determining the match's outcome. Croatia's manager Zlatko Dalic acknowledged the difficulty of the contest, describing it as a "strange match" in which his team made "too many errors from set pieces." Dalic noted that Bellingham's early second-half goal was decisive, as it prevented Croatia from maintaining momentum after mounting two comebacks in the first half.