Bellingham earns top BBC rating as England beat Spain 3-2

Jude Bellingham earned the highest BBC Sport rating after England beat Spain 3-2 in Madrid, with the midfielder praised for his assured display in his adopted city. Ben White also scored the winning goal on his first England start since March 2022, as Thomas Tuchel’s side held on after Elliot Anderson was sent off.

BBC Sport’s Elizabeth Conway and Sami Mokbel gave Bellingham 9 out of 10, describing him as having “swaggered around like he owned the place”. White, goalkeeper James Trafford, defender Ezri Konsa and midfielder Declan Rice each received 8.

England led 3-0 before Spain mounted a late comeback. Spain pulled one goal back from the penalty spot after Jarell Quansah’s error, then scored again after Anderson’s dismissal left England with 10 men. Trafford made late saves as England secured the win.

The BBC’s ratings are the reporters’ assessments. Its reader poll gave Trafford the highest average among England players, at 8.95, ahead of White on 8.33 and Lewis Hall on 8.30.