AFTER Jude Bellingham had netted England’s second goal in three minutes, he stood in front of the gleeful travelling supporters with his arms outstretched.
This newly-trademarked celebration, which the Brummie Galactico has been using since his arrival at Real Madrid, served as a delicious slap-down to a Scotland side who’d been threatening to get above their station.
Sit down, shut up, get back in your box, Bellingham seemed to be saying, as he posed like Christ the Redeemer gazing down over Rio. And the noisy neighbours were silenced.
One of the reasons why Real paid a nine-figure transfer fee for the Englishman is that he knows exactly how good he is.
There is just the correct degree of arrogance about Bellingham, who led a swaggering England performance against a Scotland side with a 100 per cent qualifying record in the Euros, who had fancied their chances of defeating the auld enemy.
Harry Maguire had given Scotland renewed hope – first by arriving at the interval, then by netting an own-goal to the delight of the home supporters who baited him ceaselessly.
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But, having also played his part in Phil Foden’s opener, Bellingham then provided a gorgeous assist for Harry Kane to kill off the Scots with England’s third.
After that goal, Southgate turned to the stands and gave it a proper double fist-pump.
They can try to bill this fixture as a friendly all they like, but it matters. And it matters every bit as much to the English as it does to the Tartan Army.
It had been party time in Glasgow with the Scots experiencing an unfamiliar euphoria, on the brink of qualification for next summer’s Euros.
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There were men in skirts everywhere you looked, The Proclaimers were threatening to go on one long walk after another, and the big screens were trumpeting ‘150 years of glory’ – which we must have missed south of the border.
God Save The King was roundly howled at, the bagpipes did their terrible thing, a minute’s silence for former Scotland boss Craig Brown was sadly ruined and then it was game time.
Southgate made six changes to his starting line-up from the stodgy draw against Ukraine but there was still plenty of experience in the England side.
As in Poland on Saturday, England began by dominating the ball and creating little.
Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice were relishing the midfield dog work but it took 25 minutes of probing before the visitors managed a decent opportunity.
Marcus Rashford’s pass fed Bellingham, whose overhit cross found Kyle Walker to drive wide of the far post – the Manchester City defender close to a second England goal in as many games after 76 without one.
But in the 32nd minute, England were in front with a goal that dripped with class, starting with a Kieran Trippier throw-in from the left-back position and nine passes later, including a gorgeous over-the-shoulder number from Rashford to Bellingham, Walker fed Foden who scored.
There had been much pre-match debate about Foden’s best position – and he has rarely produced his best form in an England shirt – but the City man is always a goal threat, wherever he plays.
Bellingham had rushed off to taunt the Scottish fans before Foden’s shot had even hit the back of the net.
He would have enjoyed the blissful hush across the vast majority of Hampden and two minutes later it was quieter still.
It had been another fine passing move from Southgate’s side but after a Bellingham back-heel and a Foden centre from the left, the most important pass was the inexplicable one which Scotland skipper Andy Robertson played to Bellingham inside his own area.
The Real Madrid man gleefully snapped it up, slotted past Angus Gunn and stood for some time with his arms out-stretched, Rice chuckling at his team-mate’s bravado.
Scotland joined in for a while before half-time but aside from a couple of goalmouth scrambles, there was little to trouble the English.
Phillips was booked for a meaty challenge and Walker got stuck into Ryan Porteous during some heated afters.
Maguire replaced Marc Guehi at half-time and the former Manchester United skipper was the subject of ironic jeers from the Scottish fans every time he touched the ball.
“Harry Maguire, he’s taking the p***,” responded the England supporters – but not for long.
Billy Gilmour fizzed a shot narrowly over Aaron Ramsdale’s bar but Bellingham still had his strut on, including a wonderful aerial back-heeled pass to Harry Kane.
It all changed, though, midway through the second half when Robertson crossed low from the right and Maguire stuck out a boot to prevent the ball from reaching sub Lyndon Dykes and diverted it past Ramsdale.
The Scots were cock-a-hoop – especially at the identity of the inadvertent goalscorer – and the Hampden roar was back like a smirking thunderstorm.
Robertson whipped in a cross, John McGinn headed narrowly wide at the near post and, briefly, England were rocking.
Southgate hauled off Foden and Rashford, sending on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze.
And the Palace wideman, winning his second cap, was soon sent clean through only for Gunn to make a smothering stop.
Bellingham set off on a gliding dribble and forced Gunn into another save.
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Next, Bellingham toasted Ryan Christie with an outrageous swivel and slipped through a pass for Kane to drive past Gunn.
Southgate showed some mercy by taking off his best player but Hampden was emptying fast and all the crowing came with an English accent.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
