Bellingham’s delivery for Morgan Rogers at Wembley set up the opener in a 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday. It also drew him level with Sterling for the most assists by an England player in a single calendar year since 2019, according to Opta.

The breakthrough came 24 minutes in. Harry Kane dropped deep and clipped a pass into the box for Bellingham, who volleyed a cross across goal for Rogers to bundle in after Josko Gvardiol failed to clear.

Six England assists in 2026 is the national team’s highest tally in a calendar year since Sterling managed the same number seven years ago.

Kane breaks Shilton record with winner

Croatia hit back after the restart. Petar Sučić equalised in the 59th minute, pouncing on Jarell Quansah’s weak header back to Jordan Pickford from a Croatia corner, Yahoo Sports reported.

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Five minutes later Kane restored the lead from the penalty spot. His 92nd international goal came on his 126th appearance, a cap tally that took him past Peter Shilton as England’s all-time appearance record holder.

The result booked England a place in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.

Tuchel measured in his verdict

Thomas Tuchel’s post-match assessment was not celebratory.

“It was an okay performance overall,” the England manager told reporters via Sky Sports, adding that after 15 minutes “we were the better team”.

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Bellingham’s evening was busier than the headline assist. The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes with 67 touches, created two chances, completed two dribbles and won six of his eight ground duels, per the match data. Another chance he set up for James Garner was ruled out for offside.

The England milestone sits on top of a club run that already brought him Real Madrid’s Player of the Month award for October, confirmed by the club on 6 November.

Bellingham can push the record further

England close out their group campaign away to Spain on Sunday, 15 November. Victory would seal top spot in Group A3 and a seeded place in the Nations League quarter-final draw; anything less leaves them second and unseeded.

For Bellingham, the trip to Madrid is a chance to go past Sterling’s mark outright, on home turf.

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