Bellingham’s brilliance is enhanced by Henderson’s assistance.

Harry Kane won Player of the Match, but Jude Bellingham, with superb help from Jordan Henderson in the midfield , dominated the post-game discussion.

When England defeated Senegal, Jude Bellingham was instrumental in the midfield.

first England kid to begin a knockout match since Michael Owen

Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, also gave respect to Jordan Henderson.

England had recently defeated France to go to the Fifa World CupTM quarterfinal. Harry Kane moved his shooting boots to a new location. Jordan Pickford had recorded his ninth shutout of the competition. Raheem Sterling was flying home at the time.

However, Jude Bellingham was the subject of the first query that Gareth Southgate had to address during his press conference at Al Bayt Stadium.

“I think the biggest thing is the mentality,” he began of the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund player. “Obviously we’ve done a lot of work over the years with young players and young player development and the thing that makes the difference is the mindset, the drive, the desire to learn and improve, and he has all of that.”

So much so, added the England manager, that “I don’t think we could have predicted how quickly he would mature. Even in the last six months, or the last three months in fact, that’s gone up to another level.”

View the highlights from the England vs. Senegal game played on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Southgate was not alone in hailing the impact made by Bellingham on the night he became the second English teenager, after Michael Owen in 1998, to start a World Cup knockout tie. Gary Lineker tweeted: “Goodness me, Jude Bellingham is unbelievably good. He’s the leader in this team.”

Down in the post-match mixed zone, Luke Shaw told a TV reporter: “For me, the world is his oyster and he can be anything he wants.” Phil Foden was even more emphatic. “I don’t want to big him up too much because he’s still young…” he started, before doing precisely that: “He’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen. He has no weakness in his game. I think he will be the best midfielder in the world.”

Jordan Henderson had his say too, telling BeIN’s reporter: “I feel I’m running out of things to say about him. Incredible mentality, incredible player. You’re talking about a player whose mentality is unique. He’s a one-off and we just need to let him enjoy his football.”

Down in the post-match mixed zone, Luke Shaw told a TV reporter: “For me, the world is his oyster and he can be anything he wants.” Phil Foden was even more emphatic. “I don’t want to big him up too much because he’s still young…” he started, before doing precisely that: “He’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen. He has no weakness in his game. I think he will be the best midfielder in the world.”

Jordan Henderson had his say too, telling BeIN’s reporter: “I feel I’m running out of things to say about him. Incredible mentality, incredible player. You’re talking about a player whose mentality is unique. He’s a one-off and we just need to let him enjoy his football.”

Here was a 19-year-old who had just seized control of a World Cup knockout game. Owen completed it quickly and coolly back in 1998. For his part, Bellingham pushed and pulled from the start, driving up the inside-left channel and controlling the match with his will. And for both of the goals in the first half, his forward surge was vital.

He accelerated through that same channel for the first goal, received a pass from Harry Kane, and cut the ball back with pinpoint accuracy for Jordan Henderson to score England’s first World Cup goal since Tom Finney.

He gained possession of the ball 10 yards outside of his half for the second goal, nodded it away from a green shirt, and then ran past another player before feeding Phil Foden, who in turn made a goal.

At Spain 82, the last time England faced France on the international stage, Bryan Robson, a midfielder who was exceptional at moving forward into the box, stole the show with two goals. Bellingham may have a huge impact when the nations meet at the World Cup for the first time since then if things continue this way.

After the game, Senegal’s coach, Aliou Cisse, discussed how England’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, and Bellingham posed a threat during transitions. He praised them all for their athleticism, quickness to recover, and distribution.

More specifically, Southgate praised Bellingham’s collaboration with Henderson, who had more experience, during the first period, which was dominated by Senegal for the first 30 minutes.

”Those two out of possession really got us into the game,” Southgate explained. “We were a bit stuck with the ball and our best moments were turning the ball over. Hendo’s influence is allowing Jude more freedom positionally and he responded to that remarkably well.”

The manager feels that Henderson’s substitution against the USA helped England solve some tactical conundrums, and since then, a player who was only allowed to play as a substitute at Uefa EURO 2020 has started the last two matches.

France will be our biggest challenge, according to Southgate.

Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson in particular received praise from England manager Gareth Southgate as The Three Lions cruised to a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the Fifa World CupTM to set up a last-eight matchup with World Champions France.

As well as Henderson’s experience, Southgate said that the 32-year-old’s “pressing in the first half had a big impact”.

Henderson finished second among England players for pressing activities on the Fifa Football Data Platform with 31. Bellingham had 45 from his 76 minutes on the field and was far ahead. In addition to his offensive thrust, he blocked five more shots than any other player.

The obvious respect between Henderson and Bellingham was evident in their celebration of the older man’s goal. Henderson still has an important role to play alongside Bellingham on this evidence even if Bellingham is the present and future of England’s midfield (and a strong contender for Qatar 2022’s Best Young Player award).

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