Euro 2024:Jude Bellingham Shines as the England Star Takes the Spotlight at Euro 2024.

Jude Bellingham Shines as the England Star Takes the Spotlight at Euro 2024. Jude Bellingham demonstrated why he is considered pivotal to En...

Jude Bellingham Shines as the England Star Takes the Spotlight at Euro 2024.

Jude Bellingham demonstrated why he is considered pivotal to England's Euro 2024 campaign with a brilliant performance, culminating in the decisive goal in their 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday. Having arrived at the European Championship as one of the world's most promising young talents following an outstanding season with Real Madrid, the 20-year-old lived up to expectations. His commanding display helped England commence their pursuit of their first major trophy in 58 years with a victory at the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. Since his debut at Birmingham at the tender age of 16, Bellingham's meteoric ascent has continued unabated. 

Bellingham was instrumental in Madrid's Champions League final victory over his old team Borussia Dortmund earlier in June and earned the title of La Liga's Player of the Year after playing a key role in the club's domestic success. His 19 league goals for Real this season have proven his evolution into a significant threat in the penalty area, complementing his seamless passing and relentless work ethic. It took him only 13 minutes to make his mark in the Group C opener against Serbia. Bellingham initiated the play with a precise pass to Kyle Walker, then dashed into the box to connect with Bukayo Saka's cross, finishing with an exquisite diving header that found the net from six yards out. After being swarmed by his teammates, Bellingham reveled in the limelight, basking in the England fans' adoration with arms wide before dashing to the center circle to rouse the supporters at the far end. Scoring England's first goal in a major tournament isn't new for Bellingham, who netted the opening goal against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

   Bellingham has become the first European player to participate in three major tournaments before turning 21, having previously played in Euro 2020 and the last World Cup. Once the youngest Englishman to compete in a major tournament, Bellingham has also joined Michael Owen as the second player to score in both the World Cup and European Championship before turning 21. Despite his youth, Bellingham's influence on the English team is so significant that he was named to manager Gareth Southgate's four-person 'leadership group' before the tournament. Serbia found it impossible to control Bellingham, and veteran Nemanja Gudelj was booked for a rough foul on the midfielder. Far from being timid, Bellingham clashed with Filip Kostic in a heated exchange, showcasing his determination not to be bullied. With 56 touches in the first half—compared to just two for England captain Harry Kane—Bellingham was the relentless driving force for the Three Lions. England's Euro campaign began in what was once dubbed the 'city of a thousand fires.' Bellingham ignited the stark backdrop of Gelsenkirchen's industrial landscape with such brilliance that it's difficult to foresee England's time in Germany being anything but explosive. He continued to be a whirlwind of smart movement in the second half, keeping Serbia at a distance as England clung on for a win despite a tense finish. Appropriately, he was given a standing ovation as he was substituted near the end. Bellingham already boasts a mural in his hometown of Stourbridge—a tribute that may well become even more significant.