England vs Portugal

Jude Bellingham scored twice; England dominated possession

In a commanding display of attacking football, England outclassed Portugal with a resounding 4–2 victory, driven by a standout performance from Jude Bellingham, who scored twice and dictated the tempo throughout the match. Held at a packed stadium, the game saw England dominate possession and dictate play from the outset. The Three Lions started with intensity and purpose, immediately pushing Portugal onto the back foot. Their pressing and ball retention were exemplary, and it didn't take long for the breakthrough to arrive. Jude Bellingham, operating as a free-roaming midfielder, opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a powerful low strike from outside the box. He doubled his tally before halftime, finishing off a brilliant passing move with composure inside the area. Portugal tried to regroup, but England’s control in midfield, led by Declan Rice and Phil Foden, limited their ability to create chances. Despite this, Portugal did pull one back through João Félix, who pounced on a defensive lapse to make it 2–1. However, England responded swiftly, with Harry Kane netting a penalty to restore their two-goal cushion. Bukayo Saka added a fourth with a curling effort in the 73rd minute. Portugal managed a consolation goal late on via Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was too little too late. England ended the match with 63% possession and 9 shots on target, underlining their dominance. Defensively, John Stones and Kyle Walker were solid, snuffing out counterattacks and helping initiate plays from the back. This result is a statement of England’s depth and tactical maturity heading into next year’s international tournaments. Bellingham’s influence continues to rise, and the cohesion within the squad is evident. Portugal will need to reassess their defensive structure and midfield compactness ahead of tougher fixtures.