Jude Bellingham ran off the pitch after coming on as a substitute during England’s match against Albania on Sunday. The Real Madrid attacker endured a terrible night, picking up a yellow card at the last minute and being replaced by Morgan Rodgers with six minutes remaining.
England struggled against Albania and were thwarted for much of the encounter in Tirana as the visiting side aimed to complete their World Cup qualification campaign.
Albania defended well for most of the match, with Thomas Tuchel’s side converting a number of chances. The home team created many chances at the other end and even had chances to take the lead.
But England’s quality eventually shone through, with Harry Kane scoring the opening goal 16 minutes before the end, tucking the ball home from close range. The Bayern Munich striker headed home his second goal from Marcus Rashford’s cross with eight minutes remaining.
Bellingham were guilty of losing the ball numerous times throughout the match and were restless in front of goal, including firing a close-range shot high over the bar in the second period.
I was booked for a late challenge with 10 minutes left. Manager Tuchel decided he had seen enough of the player to be replaced.
Bellingham seemed to sense he was about to be ejected and threw his arms in the air in frustration as he looked around the sideline. And the 22-year-old looked far from happy when he finally left the pitch.
The number 10’s sending off came after the former Borussia Dortmund ace broke the unwritten rule of swapping shirts with an Albanian player at half-time.
After the match, England manager Tuchel acknowledged Bellingham’s frustration and explained:
“Morgan didn’t want to be out, he didn’t deserve to be out, so that was the decision. Jude also had a yellow card, but (we) made the decision before the second goal and the decision stands.”
Meanwhile, former England striker Ian Wright told ITV his thoughts on Bellingham’s night:
“Albania made it pretty tough. So you have to try to do things or you’re going to lose the ball. You have to play the way you believe you should play. That’s what I like about Jude. He’ll keep doing that (demanding the ball) and that’s what you need. You have to be brave.”
And Roy Keane defended Bellingham, saying: “Quality players come into play. It’s about peaking at the right time and the top players know when it’s time to go. And I’d be really surprised if he wasn’t in the starting XI (for the World Cup) in the summer.”
