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Harry Kane is set to equal England's appearance record with his 125th cap against the Czech Republic on Tuesday as the striker looks to build on his flourishing partnership with "scary" Jude Bellingham.Kane will take centre stage if he ties former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton's landmark in the Nations League clash at Wembley. The England captain's pride in representing his country has shone through since his debut against Lithuania in 2015.Kane scored within two minutes of coming off the bench in that match, and he has rarely endured a barren spell in an England shirt ever since. The 33-year-old is England's record scorer with 89 goals after netting twice in Saturday's 7-0 demolition of Croatia.Bayern Munich star Kane has been England's talisman and the one constant throughout their highs and lows over the last 11 years. Roy Hodgson gave Kane his England debut and the striker has since played under coaches Sam Allardyce, Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley and now Thomas Tuchel. But even having a player of Kane's predatory instincts and remarkable consistency has not been enough for England to end their angst-ridden wait for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. England lost the European Championship final in 2021 and 2024. And for Kane to follow Bobby Moore as the only male England captain to lift a trophy, Tuchel believes he needs an assist from a midfielder whose virtuoso performance against Croatia on Saturday drew gushing praise from team-mates and pundits alike. In danger of missing out on the World Cup after being dropped from the England squad in October 2025, Real Madrid star Bellingham has gone from Tuchel's doghouse to the penthouse over the last 12 months. Having irked Tuchel with his volatile on-pitch antics, Bellingham eventually regained his place in time for the World Cup in June and July. It was Bellingham rather than Kane who finished as England's top scorer at the World Cup, but their tournament ended in semi-final heartbreak against Argentina. - 'Never seen anything like it' - Tuchel's defensive tactics in the closing stage of that loss were widely pilloried.But has learnt from that late meltdown and wants England to stay on the offensive, with Kane and Bellingham leading the charge. Key to England's hopes of winning Euro 2028 will be Kane staying healthy and Bellingham remaining in the kind of masterful form that inspired the rout of Croatia. The 23-year-old was so dominant in Rijeka, scoring once and providing three assists, that former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said he can go on to be "one of the greatest players of all time". "At this moment in time, he is an amazing footballer. The package, his running power, his delivery, his goal threat," Keane said.Keane's praise was echoed by Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who made his first England start alongside Bellingham and Elliot Anderson in midfield against Croatia. "Honestly, I've never seen anything like it," Scott said."He's even better in person, seeing it up close and being on the same pitch as him, he's the best midfielder in the world."On the pitch his ability is scary and that's the benchmark we need to live up to."England winger Bukayo Saka added: "He was special, (I'm) happy to play with him and happy to have him in the England team." Tuchel said Kane's relationship with Bellingham has blossomed on and off the pitch in recent months, paving the way for the explosion of creativity and goals from the pair. Fittingly, it was Bellingham who took the captain's armband from Kane when the striker was replaced late in the Croatia match."They get better and better. They love playing with each other. They understand each other better," Tuchel said. "We adjusted our positioning a little bit after the World Cup. Jude almost plays a little bit more offensive for us. That's where I see him in the most dangerous position." 

Jude Bellingham has been named England men's player of the year for a second successive season after a standout campaign in which he scored a record seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, the Football Association said on Friday.The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder's World Cup tally set a record for an England men's player at a major tournament as the Three Lions secured their best finish at the competition since 1966 by finishing third."It feels great," Bellingham said. "It's a huge honour to be recognised by the fans again. So not something you think about when you’re playing for your country, but it's obviously a beautiful little addition to the great summer we had, and the honour of playing for my country."The award was decided by supporters voting on the official England app.Bellingham's World Cup tally included doubles in the thrilling round-of-16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium and in the quarter-final win over Norway in Miami.He also became the youngest European player to feature at four major tournaments.England manager Thomas Tuchel said Bellingham was "one of the players of the tournament, not only for us but of the whole tournament.""He lived up to his full potential; you could just see what a competitor and what a machine he is," Tuchel said. "He just thrives under pressure, he just loves these moments, he loves these stages and it brings out the very best in him."Captain Harry Kane was England's top scorer for a seventh consecutive season after netting 12 goals across all national team competitions, matching his best tally for England.Kane called the achievement a "showcase of consistency" and thanked his teammates and coaches for their support.  

England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team were "lucky" to squeeze past Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the World Cup semi-finals, but praised "world-class" Jude Bellingham after his two goals dragged the Three Lions to victory.A furious Tuchel was in little mood to celebrate despite England reaching the last four for just the fourth time in history after Bellingham's double overturned Andreas Schjelderup's opener."We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," Tuchel said in an animated on-field interview moments after his team's win."The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but I'm not happy with the performance."The commitment is there, but it made life very, very difficult for us in the way we played, how we played, sloppy, lots of safety, not fast enough, not enough. We were lucky today."Bellingham was less than impressed with his manager's reaction."Whatever. Whatever," said the Real Madrid midfielder after a gruelling 120 minutes in the searing Miami heat. 'IT'S DIFFICULT OUT THERE'"It's difficult out there. It's a tough shift. All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there."England will now face either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on Wednesday as they attempt to reach the World Cup final for the first time in 60 years.Tuchel said later he had no doubt over his players' effort but was adamant that his team would need to improve to progress further in the competition."I'm impressed with the shift that they put in, the effort, the belief and to overcome adversity and to dig in and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level," the German coach said at the post-match press conference."Full credit to the team, we found a way in the last four. This is of course the most important but the analysing head of me and the football coach still thinks that we can and have played better football."England were fortunate in two major refereeing decisions. GOAL ALLOWED TO STANDBellingham's first goal was allowed to stand despite Norwegian protests that the ball had struck the TV camera suspended above the pitch in the build-up.Norway also had a second goal disallowed in the second half after a VAR review for a foul by Erling Haaland before a corner had been taken."We were lucky. I stand with that," added Tuchel."No one ever denies that you need luck to go far in tournament football. You need moments where you're lucky, otherwise it's just not possible"I see no harm in admitting it. It's just the way I felt."Tuchel was more fulsome in his praise for Bellingham, who again rose to the ocassion to be a national hero.After scoring twice in England's memorable 3-2 win over Mexico in the Estadio Azteca in the last 16, Bellingham moved alongside Harry Kane on six goals in six games at this World Cup with his two goals in Miami."World-class performance from a world-class player," said Tuchel. "In big, big moments, crucial moments, he was absolutely top class." 

Jude Bellingham says every member of England's World Cup squad must feel "loved" as he admitted things were not right off the pitch at Euro 2024.Gareth Southgate's men reached the final of the tournament in Germany, where they were beaten by Spain, but were unconvincing during their run.Southgate's successor, Thomas Tuchel, has spoken of creating a "brotherhood" in the squad as he tries to win England's first World Cup since 1966.Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham told England's Lions' Den show that things were "a little bit wrong off the pitch" at the Euros two years ago."I don't feel like the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons," he said.Bellingham suggested heightened expectations were a factor after strong performances in previous tournaments."We were seen as one of the two or three teams that should win it," said the 22-year-old."We weren't playing particularly well, which doesn't help. So even when we were winning it felt like you don't get the feeling that we were as happy as we should be."Because there has to be that element of relentlessness and you want to win. But the nature of football and especially at this level is that wins go out the system very quickly and I think we should have held on to that moment a little bit more."And I think this time around having those experiences, knowing that for example the guy who scores the goal in the World Cup final isn't always the one that you'd bet your house on."So everyone's got to be ready, everyone's got to feel loved, everyone's got to feel like they're playing a huge part of the team."England launch their bid for World Cup glory against Croatia next Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who could be competing with Bellingham for the number 10 position, underlined the unity in the squad in the United States."We're really together, we're really aligned and it's just really easy and seamless just to fit in with anyone in the group from wherever you're from, wherever you play, ages, that doesn't matter with our group," said the 23-year-old."We sit on one big table and we can have one big debate and everyone can get involved. That's kind of how it is and it's a joy to be here." 

Jude Bellingham's goal helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 to win a tense Clasico and move five points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of La Liga on Sunday.Champions Barcelona won all four times the teams were pitted against each other last season but in his first Clasico as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso snapped that run.Kylian Mbappe, who later missed a penalty, fired Madrid in front and although Fermin Lopez levelled for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham netted a second for the hosts before half-time which proved decisive.Barca playmaker Pedri was sent off in the final stages for a second yellow card as tensions spilled over in the Spanish capital.Madrid's victory means they have won nine of their opening 10 league games and Alonso's side proved against Barca they can triumph on the big occasion, following their derby humbling by Atletico Madrid in September.Hansi Flick's team were led on the touchline by his assistant Marcus Sorg, as the German coach was suspended following a red card last weekend as they scraped a victory over relegation-battling Girona.Barcelona were without several regular starters, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo among others, while Lamine Yamal still does not appear fully fit after a groin injury but started.The teenager wound up Madrid fans in the week by claiming Los Blancos "steal" and "complain" and his name was greeted with a chorus of jeers when read out before kick-off.Barcelona had more of the ball in the first half but it was largely sterile possession and Madrid created the most dangerous opportunities.The hosts were awarded an early penalty when Yamal appeared to bring down Vinicius Junior. However it was cancelled after a VAR review as it was the Brazilian initiated the contact.Madrid fans' ire at the officials grew when Mbappe blasted home from outside the area but the goal was ruled out for a milimetric offside against the French superstar.Mbappe did not have long to wait before he could celebrate in earnest, after superb work by Bellingham sent him through on goal.The forward, the division's top goalscorer, netted his 11th league goal of the campaign with a lethal low finish past Wojciech Szczesny.The goalkeeper made a good save from Dean Huijsen while Bellingham and Fede Valverde went close as Madrid took control.Szczesny stopped efforts from Vinicius and Bellingham again, and it was against the run of play when Barcelona equalised.Arda Guler gave away possession in a dangerous area and Marcus Rashford, playing in his first Clasico, crossed for Lopez to blast the visitors level in the 38th minute.Bellingham struck Madrid's second five minutes later to give Los Blancos a deserved advantage at the interval.The England international, who scored his first goal at the Bernabeu since April in midweek against Juventus, gleefully tapped home after Eder Militao nodded Vinicius's cross back into his path.Mbappe penalty savedMadrid should have extended their lead at the start of the second half but Szczesny made a fine save to push out Mbappe's penalty, after Eric Garcia was penalised for handball.Yamal, frustrated and struggling to make an impact on the game, sent a long-range shot high over the bar as Madrid closed ranks and kept the Catalans at a safe distance from their goal.Madrid looked the more threatening in the final stages despite Barca needing to score, able to bring on Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, while Barca had little in the way of attacking reinforcements.Sorg sent defender Ronald Araujo up front during nine minutes of stoppage time after he netted the winner as a makeshift striker against Girona, but the centre-back could not trouble Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.Pedri was sent off in the final seconds for a second yellow card for a late foul on Aurelien Tchouameni, sparking a brief sideline shoving match, while players from both sides rowed after the final whistle.