Jude Bellingham was the subject of a controversial refereeing decision during England’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Latvia
Former Birmingham City favourite Jude Bellingham has been told that he was lucky to escape the pitch without a red card during England’s comfortable 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Latvia at Wembley Stadium.
Stourbridge-born superstar Bellingham was selected in the starting line-up for the second time in two matches during the Thomas Tuchel era after recording an assist for the opener during Friday’s 2-0 home win over Albania.
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The 21-year-old was a bright spark in the midfield on his 42nd cap and was one of the more lively players during a frustrating first half which saw Latvia play with a low block and frustrate England’s attacking players with a disciplined structure before Chelsea’s Reece James finally livened up proceedings before half time with an outrageous long-distance free kick which curled beautifully into the top corner while leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the centre of the goal.
The Real Madrid playmaker was booked on the stroke of half time for a mistimed tackle, and at the start of the second interval got himself into even further trouble with the officials when he narrowly escaped a booking for lunging himself into a challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis in the 57th minute.
Jude Bellingham ‘lucky’ to escape punishment
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official says Jude Bellingham was lucky to avoid a second booking during England’s victory over Latvia and feels he was just one further mistimed tackle away from leaving the field.
“Bellingham, already on a yellow card makes a reckless challenge on his opponent,” Hackett told Football Insider.
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“It is a clear yellow card offence but the referee decides to take no action. Bellingham very lucky to be on the pitch. Tuchel really should do the wise thing and take Bellingham off. One mistimed challenge and Bellingham will get his marching orders.”
Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden was ultimately brought on to replace Bellingham during the final 23 minutes of the contest. Hackett later added: “Well done Tuchel bringing Bellingham off.”
Thomas Tuchel enjoys winning start to England career
England sit top of World Cup qualifying Group A with a perfect record of two victories and two clean sheets from their opening couple of qualifiers. The Three Lions recorded a 2-0 victory over an Albania side that picked up a point against Croatia at Euro 2024 and followed it up with a comfortable 3-0 win over Latvia.
The Euro 2024 finalists were far from their best in either contest but have left themselves firmly in the driving seat to secure their place at the World Cup with a three point cushion over Albania and Latvia, who both recorded victories over Andorra in their other outing.
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Tuchel’s side face Andorra on 7 June before gearing up against 2021 Afcon winners Senegal in a challenging friendly game just three days later. England face Andorra once again at the start of September before gearing up for their most difficult qualifying game against a Serbia side featuring Aleksandar Mitrović, Dusan Tadic and Dusan Vlahovic among others.
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