Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham scored a late equalizer to help the Three Lions of England avoid defeat to Belgium in an exciting 2-2 draw in an international friendly played at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday. It is the second fixture in the first international break of 2024 for both teams, who had contrasting results in their first matches last weekend.
While Belgium drew goalless with the Republic of Ireland, England were beaten at Wembley Stadium thanks to a late goal by 17-year-old Endrick against Brazil. Gareth Southgate’s men were hoping to get back on track with a win against Belgium, but their chances were diminished by several injuries to first-team players days before the fixture and also in the early part of the game.
On Saturday, Kyle Walker was subbed off 20 min into the England vs. Brazil game, and on Tuesday, John Stones got subbed off 10 min into the England vs. Belgium match. Aside from the injuries to the two City defenders ahead of their match against Arsenal at the weekend in the Premier League, Gareth Southgate was without Harry Kane before the international break while he had to replace Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone after the Brazil clash.
Meanwhile, Belgium started the game brightly, and they scored through Yuri Tieleman, who capitalized on England’s poor transition from defense. The three lions equalized through Ivan Toney from the penalty spot six minutes after Tieleman’s 11th-minute opener.
Ten minutes later, England had a goal from Jared Bowen’s strike canceled by the way, only for Belgium to score just before the break through a moment of brilliance from Roman Lukaku, who fed a spectacular cross to the far post, which was headed home brilliantly by Tielemans.
Belgium with the night a victory as Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was on hand to steer home an assist from James Madison to ensure that Belgium finished their two international friendlies in March in still meets
Daniel Ademiju Idowu