Bellingham grabs 2-2 draw for England against Belgium

By Our Correspondent
March 28, 2024
England's midfielder Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the International friendly football match between England and Belgium on March 26, 2024. — AFP

LONDON: Jude Bellingham struck in stoppage time to earn an impressive England a 2-2 Wembley draw with Belgium on Tuesday after a Youri Tielemans double had threatened a smash and grab victory in an entertaining friendly.

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Tielemans struck in the 11th minute after a mis-hit clearance by England keeper Jordan Pickford, with Ivan Toney equalising with a penalty soon after on his first international start.

England, unrecognisable in approach from the side beaten by Brazil on Saturday, had a Jarrod Bowen goal ruled out for offside and squandered more chances before another defensive mistake allowed Tielemans to restore the lead with a diving header late in the first half after a lovely cross by Romelu Lukaku.

England continued to create chances in the second half with Toney, Phil Foden and the remarkable 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo all going close after intricate build-up play before Bellingham struck from close range in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

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