Jude Bellingham equalled a 44-year record for England after scoring and assisting in the Three Lions’ 3-1 friendly win over rivals Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
The fixture marked the 150th anniversary of the first clash between both countries which occurred on November 30, 1872 and is recognised by global governing body FIFA as the first-ever international match. It is also considered as the oldest football rivalry in the world.
Manchester City forward Phil Foden put England ahead in the 32nd minute with a close range finish off an assist from club teammate Kyle Walker. Bellingham doubled England’s lead three minutes later after a lose ball fell to his path inside the box from Scotland captain Andy Robertson’s failure to clear his lines.
The Tartan Terriers pulled one back in the 67th minute thanks to Manchester United defender Harry Maguire putting the ball into his own net. It became 3-1 to England with nine minutes left on the clock as Bellingham fed skipper Harry Kane with a lovely ball which the former Tottenham Hotspur forward cooly slotted past Angus Gunn in goal for the Scots.
Bellingham’s goal involvement made him become the first England player to score and assist against Scotland since Kevin Keegan in 1979.
1 + 1 – Jude Bellingham is the first England player to both score and assist a goal in a match against Scotland since Kevin Keegan in May 1979. Complete. pic.twitter.com/lzSI3sMZjP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 12, 2023
The ex-Birmingham City midfielder has had a stellar start to life at Real Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, scoring in every La Liga match so far, amounting to five goals and one assist in four games.
The victory was also England’s 600th international win, becoming the first European country to reach that milestone.
