Jude's case is proof that selflessness pays off
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 19.07.26. | 21:01
Not every player is competing to be the one who takes a penalty
Four days ago, Jude Bellingham was making headlines all around the world. Not because of his disappointing performance in England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina, but because of his scandalous post-match reaction and an attempt at a physical altercation with La Albiceleste's Valentin Barco.
The biggest story last night was England's incredible 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off, with Thomas Tuchel's side overshadowing Bellingham's class act and what felt like a redemption for his previous actions.
After a stellar first half that gave them a 4-0 lead, England began to crumble, allowing the rivals to close the gap to 4-3 with about half an hour remaining.
Still, instead of Les Bleus' complete comeback, the Three Lions were awarded a late penalty to seal the deal. Given that the team captain and first-choice penalty taker, Harry Kane, was on the bench, it was Bellingham's turn to step up, take the penalty, and possibly make history, becoming England's highest goalscorer in a single World Cup.
Nevertheless, instead of taking the spot-kick, Jude handed the ball to Bukayo Saka, who had previously netted twice, giving him the chance to complete a hat-trick.
This is the best assist of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
— Victory (@VictoryOwai) July 18, 2026
Jude Bellingham x Bukayo Saka pic.twitter.com/jyOc1yaT5b
"No, Jude was never taking it. He was the first one to say go and get your hat-trick, so none of them came to distract me," the Arsenal forward told the BBC via Yahoo Sports after the match.
Saka converted the penalty to become the first hat-trick scorer for the Three Lions in the World Cup knockout stage since 1966 and Geoff Hurst, but that wasn't the end of the magical night for England, as Bellingham's selflessness was rewarded.
Saka scored a hat-trick to become England's first knockout stage hat-trick scorer since Geoff Hurst in 1966, but the story behind the penalty is just as significant.
— Konye (@Iam_konye) July 19, 2026
Bellingham handed him the ball and told him to get his hat-trick. That is the same selfless mentality that drove… pic.twitter.com/AWLKL9U9m5
After Ousmane Dembele made it 5-4 in the sixth minute of stoppage time, France threw everyone forward in search of an equalizer, leaving too much space for the opponents' counterattacks. Bellingham took full advantage of it and put the cherry on top of his team's 6-4 win with his seventh goal of the tournament, seizing the chance he passed up when he allowed Saka to take a penalty.
Jude put personal glory aside, and it paid off. More importantly, he reminded everyone that putting others before yourself never goes unnoticed or unrewarded.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Sunday
Third-place match
France - England 4-6 (0-4)
/Mbappe 48, 66, Barcola 54, Dembele 90+6 - Rice 3, Konsa 18, Saka 37, 45+1, 87 pen, Bellingham 90+8/
Final
22.00: (2.35) Spain (3.00) Argentina (3.60)
***odds are subject to change***