Ian Wright, a man who knows a thing or two about leading the line for England, has singled out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham for special praise follo...
Ian Wright, a man who knows a thing or two about leading the line for England, has singled out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham for special praise following the Three Lions' opening night victory over Croatia. The 4 2 scoreline was, in Wright's own words, a "brilliant" start to the campaign, and it is hard to argue with that assessment when you look at the sheer quality on display.For those who caught the live action on GoalZaza, the match was anything but a straightforward stroll. Croatia, a side steeped in tournament know how, attempted to frustrate England with a compact low block, but Kane and Bellingham simply refused to be contained. Kane's movement off the ball dragged defenders out of position, a classic trademark of a clinical finisher at the peak of his powers, while Bellingham patrolled the middle third like a man possessed. It was transitional play of the highest order, with England breaking at pace and showing the kind of tactical flexibility that has often eluded them in recent summer tournaments.The real takeaway here is not just the result but the manner of it. Wright pointed out that both players "stepped up" when it mattered, and that is a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who has watched England bottle it in the past. Against a side that has knocked them out of major competitions before, there was no hint of squeaky bum time. Bellingham, in particular, looks like he has been playing at this level for a decade, while Kane continues to redefine what it means to be a goalscoring number nine who also drops deep to orchestrate play. How often do you see a striker of his calibre win headers in his own penalty area one minute and then bury a chance at the other end the nextWhat this performance does is set a marker. It tells the rest of the field that England are not just relying on moments of individual brilliance but are building a collective identity. Wright's praise is well placed, but he will also know that the real test comes when the opposition park the bus even deeper or when a decision goes against them. For now, though, the signs are promising. Kane and Bellingham are carrying the torch, and if they keep stepping up like this, the rest of the tournament could be very special indeed.
