JUDE Bellingham is dragging England towards the World Cup final one rescue act at a time and the comparisons with Paul Gascoigne are becoming impossible to ignore.
The superstar struck twice as the Three Lions came from behind to beat , taking his tally to six goals for the tournament and booking a blockbuster semi-final with .
Jude Bellingham scored twice to help England qualify for the World Cup semi-finals in a 2–1 win against Norway Credit: REUTERS
Former England defender Jamie Carragher believes Jude Bellingham has now topped Paul Gascoigne’s famous Italia ’90 campaign Credit: EMPICS Sport
It was another night when needed someone to seize the moment and, once again, answered the call.
Former England defender believes the 23-year-old has now gone beyond even Gazza’s iconic Italia ’90 campaign.
Writing in the Telegraph , Carragher claimed: “Jude Bellingham has been so good at this World Cup that he is making Paul Gascoigne’s performances at Italia ’90 look average.”
He quickly clarified it was no slight on the England legend, adding: “That is not intended to disparage Gazza.
“It is a compliment to an outstanding young player who is having more impact at an international tournament than any English footballer who has preceded him.”
For more than three decades, Gascoigne’s displays in have been viewed as the benchmark for an England player at a World Cup.
His dazzling runs, fearless skill and unforgettable tears after the semi-final defeat to West Germany cemented his place in folklore.
Gascoigne is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest ever players Credit: Hulton Archive
But while Gazza captivated a nation, Bellingham is doing something even more valuable – deciding matches.
Against Norway, he hauled England level in first-half stoppage time before reacting quickest to score the extra-time winner and send ’s side into the last four.
It continued a remarkable pattern throughout the tournament, with Bellingham repeatedly stepping up when England have needed him most.
As Carragher put it: “Bellingham is starting to specialise in rescue acts.”
The former Liverpool defender also argued no England player has ever produced a better World Cup across six matches, pointing out Bellingham has already set a new England record for goals from open play at a single tournament.
What makes the run even more remarkable is that only weeks before the World Cup, Bellingham was not even guaranteed a place in Tuchel’s strongest XI after the England boss experimented with other attacking midfield options.
Instead of shrinking under the pressure, Bellingham has embraced it.
His swagger, authority and ability to decide football’s biggest matches have become the driving force behind England’s charge, with the only player to rival his influence.
Bellingham has scored six goals at the 2026 World Cup thus far Credit: REUTERS Carragher even compared Bellingham’s mentality to Steven Gerrard’s, arguing the midfielder possesses the self-belief to walk onto any pitch convinced he belongs among the very best – whether lining up against , or .
England are now just one win from a first World Cup final since 1966.
And if Bellingham continues producing moments like these, Carragher believes there will soon be no debate over where he ranks among England’s all-time greats, concluding: “By the end of his career, Bellingham will have that honour.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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