The English national football team has gained new confidence in the neighborhood duel with Scotland.
Three days after the first point loss in the European Championship qualifiers against Ukraine (1:1), Phil Foden, the ex-Dortmund Jew Bellingham and Bayern newcomer Harry Kane shot the European runner-up in the 116th “Battle of Britain” in Glasgow 3:1 (2:0). Unlucky Harry Maguire scored an own goal.
The game took place to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first international match in football history – albeit slightly late: the first duel between the two teams also took place in Glasgow on November 30, 1872.
Foden (23), a triple winner with Manchester City, gave the Three Lions the lead in the 32nd minute, and three minutes later Bellingham took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Scots to make it 2-0. The 20-year-old also provided the template for the decision by captain and record goalscorer Kane in the final phase (81st).
With the performance, Bellingham also continued its strong run from the Spanish league. The 103 million euro man has already scored five goals and one assist in his first four appearances for Real Madrid.
Central defender Maguire from Manchester United, on the other hand, still seems to be unlucky. The long-time captain of the Red Devils was demoted by team manager Erik ten Hag shortly before the season and has been on the English record champions’ sales list ever since.
Instead of gaining self-confidence against Scotland, the 30-year-old, who came on as a substitute at half-time, poked a clearance attempt into his own goal (68th).