In a thrilling 2-2 draw against Belgium, Kobbie Mainoo showcased his immense talent, earning the coveted Man of the Match award in his debut for the England national team.
Despite Youri Tielemans notching two goals for Belgium, Ivan Toney’s penalty and Jude Bellingham’s late equalizer salvaged a draw for the Three Lions, preventing them from suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2022.
However, it was Mainoo who stole the spotlight. Making his first start for the senior squad, the 18-year-old impressed during his 74-minute stint at Wembley Stadium, leaving a lasting impression on manager Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
Following the match, Bellingham, a seasoned figure in the England setup, lauded Mainoo’s performance and expressed confidence in the youngster’s bright future. Speaking to Channel 4, Bellingham remarked:
“He was good tonight. It’s difficult, and I am speaking like the old head here, but I know how hard it can be when there’s clamour and people put a lot of pressure on you. So I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, but he’s definitely a brilliant player and he’s going to have an amazing future at Manchester United, and hopefully for England as well.”
