England 2-2 Belgium (26 Mar, 2024) Game Analysis

Jude Bellingham scored in stoppage time to earn an impressive England a 2-2 draw at Wembley against Belgium on Tuesday after a brace from Youri Tielemans threatened to clinch victory in an entertaining friendly .

Tielemans scored in the 11th minute after a botched clearance by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with Ivan Toney equalizing with a penalty shortly after in his first international start.

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It was tough for England, who looked unrecognizable in their approach compared to the team beaten by Brazil on Saturday, and they fully deserved their last-gasp equalizer.

“I knew how much crap we would get if we lost two games on the bounce,” Bellingham said.

We should win with all the chances we created, but these are two games that will be very useful to us. I know people will be negative but we have to take the positive.

“I'm sure the coach will be happy with the way we played. You're never happy with a defeat or a draw, but we have to be happy with the way we played.”

One thing Southgate will not be happy with is the early withdrawal of John Stones, who suffered a groin injury and was replaced by Joe Gomez, adding to England's potential defensive problems after Kyle Walker was injured in the match against Brazil.

The match between third-placed England and their fourth-placed opponents had a completely different feel to Saturday, where England barely managed a shot against Brazil and the tone was set after 20 seconds when Toney fired from a cross from Jarrod Bowen.

Belgium, sporting a bizarre ensemble of light blue shirts and brown shorts against England's charcoal gray, took the lead when a poorly completed clearance from Jordan Pickford went straight to Amadou Onana, then fell for Tielemans who caressed it into the empty net.

England hit back from the penalty spot six minutes after Jan Vertonghen brought down Toney and the Brentford striker marked his first start with his first goal via his two-stride approach.

With his rivals supporting the injured Harry Kane failing to make their case, it was a huge moment for Toney and his hopes of making the Euro squad.

Bowen thought he had also made his point when he nodded home from close range after a corner in the 26th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

England, however, were playing with an energy and dynamism that was so painfully absent on Saturday as Bowen and Bellingham both shot from good positions.

But it was another mistake from centre-back Lewis Dunk – who was responsible for Brazil's winner – that allowed Belgium through again. Romelu Lukaku took the opportunity to deliver a sumptuous cross with the outside of his foot which an unmarked Tielemans responded with a diving header after 36 minutes.

England continued to create chances in the second half with Toney, Bellingham and Foden going close and 18-year-old standout Kobbie Mainoo making an irresistible case for a Euro place.

Belgium defended well, however, and appeared to have done enough until the hosts launched a final attack down the left with substitute James Maddison whipping in a low cross which the towering Bellingham coolly slotted in.

This sent the English fans away happy, but also allowed Belgium to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games under coach Domenico Tedesco.