Jude Bellingham has single-handedly dragged England through the thin air of Mexico City and the brutal heat of Miami, and now the 23-year-old faces the ultimate test — Lionel Messi and Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.

The World Cup has a long history of being seized by one extraordinary player: Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986, Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002, and Messi finally claiming the game's greatest prize with Argentina in Doha in 2022. Bellingham is not yet in that company — but he is making a compelling case.

Statistics that echo the greats

Bellingham's double against Norway in Miami, which helped England to a 3-2 victory, means he is the first player to score two or more goals in consecutive knockout-stage games at a single World Cup since Maradona's legendary 1986 campaign. He is also the second youngest player to achieve that feat, behind only Pelé, who did so at 17 during Brazil's 1958 triumph in Sweden.

Against Norway, Bellingham registered the most shots of any England player (5), the most touches in the opposition box (6), the most duels won (8), and the most fouls won (4). Nine of his 12 England goals have arrived at major tournaments — five have put England ahead, and two have been equalisers.

Only Gary Lineker, with six goals at the 1986 World Cup, has scored as many non-penalty goals for England in a single edition of the tournament. Bellingham has the opportunity to surpass that mark before this World Cup ends.

He is also one of only two players at this tournament — alongside Erling Haaland — to have scored with his left foot, right foot, and head, underlining the remarkable variety of his contributions.

A career shaped by big moments

Bellingham famously responded to his spectacular overhead-kick equaliser against Slovakia at Euro 2024 — at 94 minutes 34 seconds in Gelsenkirchen — with the words