Jude Bellingham will look to send England into their first World Cup final since 1966 when Thomas Tuchel’s side face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Atlanta today, with the Real Madrid midfielder in line to start despite carrying a shoulder complaint into the semi-final.
According to Real Madrid’s own preview of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium tie, kicking off at 9pm CEST and shown on La1 and Dazn, Bellingham arrives as the tournament’s joint-top scorer alongside captain Harry Kane on six goals, having struck twice against Norway in the quarter-finals and twice against Mexico in the round of 16. Sky Sports data has him leading England’s squad for goals, goal involvements and big chances created heading into kick-off, underlining how central he has become to Tuchel’s plans.
Thomas Tuchel Moves To Calm Bellingham Tension Before Kick-Off
The build-up has not been entirely smooth. Bellingham finished the win over Norway holding his left shoulder — the same joint he dislocated during a Real Madrid match against Rayo Vallecano in November 2023, and which required surgery after last year’s Club World Cup to prevent further damage. Tuchel has since moved to play down any lingering issue, insisting there are “no cracks” in his relationship with the 23-year-old following a pointed on-pitch exchange after the Norway win, and calling his midfielder “world-class.”
There are no suspension worries either, with Bellingham avoiding a booking against Norway. Kylian Mbappé’s France suffered a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday, meaning the winner in Atlanta faces Spain in Sunday’s final. Having driven England’s run since a group-stage draw with Ghana, Bellingham has a first World Cup final within reach — a month before he reports back to Valdebebas for Mourinho’s first full season in charge.
