JUDE Bellingham is ready to conquer the Congo as England prepare for their first World Cup knockout clash this Wednesday.
The star, who turns 23 today, scored once and was named Man of the Match in
Jude Bellingham is ready to conquer the Congo as England prepare for their first World Cup knockout clash Credit: Getty
Three Lions ace Jude Bellingham embraces model Ashlyn Castro amid emotional scenes in the VIP box at the New York New Jersey Stadium Credit: Darren Fletcher
fans are now gearing up to roar on the Three Lions who face The Leopards after making the World Cup’s knockout stages.
The stars will be up against Congo in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday after topping the tournament’s Group L.
Thomas Tuchel’s men did so with their win over Panama and midfield maestro was again instrumental.
He scored one, created the other for captain and was named Man of the Match.
Jude applauded fans while joining their Wonderwall song salute — and planted a smacker on his girlfriend.
He embraced model Ashlyn Castro, 28, who had on a red England shirt bearing his name, amid emotional scenes in the VIP box at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
And the nation will once more be hoping the Real Madrid genius can fire up England again.
But first the team will enjoy a low-key celebration today for Bellingham — and , who turns 28 — at their The Inn at Meadowbrook Hotel base in Kansas City.
Congo sit 42 places behind fourth-placed England in the Fifa world rankings Credit: Alamy
The Leopards before their second Group K clash with Colombia Credit: AFP via Getty Images
The players have developed a strong bond and were keen to praise the boy from Stourbridge, West Mids. star Kane, 32, warned the world his playing pal was hungry for glory.
Harry, who scored England’s second from a Bellingham cross — eclipsing Gary Lineker’s World Cup goal record of ten — said: “He’s got the bit between his teeth.
“I’ve seen it since we arrived in Florida. Jude’s a fantastic player, world class. It’s a privilege to play with him and have him in our team.
“If we want to go far, we need all our best players playing well and it’s good to see Jude at the highest level.”
England team-mate , 28, also hailed the match-winning drive of Bellingham, who had put England ahead.
The striker said: “Jude’s a top player. He brings so much to the team. He has a lot of talent and he delivers.
“He’s a great player off the pitch, too. One of the main things that I like about Jude is his drive. He doesn’t just drive alone, he drives people alongside him. He drives England. He always wants more.”
Bellingham continued the camp love-in with praise for Kane, adding: “You see the effort he puts in as a captain and how he leads us.
Harry Kane scored England’s second against Panama, eclipsing Gary Lineker’s World Cup goal record of ten Credit: Reuters
Jude’s girlfriend Ashlyn watches the action from the stands Credit: Darren Fletcher
“The quality speaks for itself. He’s the best. I’ve built a good relationship with Harry over the last four or five years.
“It’s an honour to play with him. For me, he’s the best England player of all time. He’s at an incredible level now. You know he’s going to make a difference.”
England’s opponents secured their first progression to the knockout stages in 52 years with a 3-1 victory over .
The Democractic Republic of Congo’s win was greeted with an explosion of joy in capital Kinshasa and eastern city Goma.
The Leopards sit 42 places behind fourth-placed England in the world rankings — but will be England’s toughest challenge yet in this summer’s tournament.
The African side’s squad includes Premier League striker , 29, of , who scored twice in their comeback triumph over Uzbekistan.
Tough-tackling defender , 28, of relegated Prem side United is also a mainstay along with Lille defender and captain Chancel Mbemba, 31.
Thousands of England fans spent yesterday checking flight, hotel and ticket websites as they scrambled to make Wednesday’s match.
Midfield maestro Bellingham was instrumental in England’s 2-0 win over Panama Credit: FIFA via Getty Images
Tickets were selling on Fifa’s secondary market yesterday for £782 ($1,032) for the cheapest seats to a staggering £6,440 ($8,502) for pitchside lounge access.
Soccer’s greedy global rulers slashed England’s ticket allocation by 38 per cent to coin it from the resale market, where they grab 30 per cent of every transaction.
It means FA’s ticket allocation — 4,826 for the Panama game — is down to 3,000 for the Congo clash.
Fifa pledged to give cheaper tickets to real travelling fans in eight per cent of venue capacities but Atlanta’s quota is 4.5 per cent.
But England fans sick of beer prices of up to the equivalent of £18 a pint at games were boosted by a promise of bargain £3.80 beers at Atlanta’s 67,300-seat Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Slices of pizza, bottles of water and fries will be £2.27 and hot dogs £1.52. Coke will also cost just £1.52 — with unlimited refills.
Stadium owner Arthur Blank said: “There’s never been price gouging here. We want people to feel like this is their home, safe and secure, embraced, loved and respected. It’s not negotiable.”
England fans will also catch a break on costs. It is £1.89 each way to the stadium compared to £74.24 for a return to the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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