The midfielder headed in the winner as the Three Lions opened their tournament with a battling 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday (16.06.24) and rubbished suggestions that a disappointing second-half performance shows why they can't win the trophy.

Bellingham said: "No, not quite - I don't agree with that. I think the first half shows why we can score goals against any team, and the second half shows why we can keep a clean sheet against any team.

"I think obviously, commonly with the team, there's a negative theme around all our games. You know, sometimes rightly so. But I think in this case you take the positives from the fact that, OK, maybe we had to hold on at times and suffer a little bit, but we kept a clean sheet.

"When you keep a clean sheet all you have to do is score one goal to win the game. It's three points, I think this team is still so new, gelling together with every game.

"So, yeah, I think inside the changing room we'll be happy with that. Of course, there will be negatives that we want to kind of rub out but overall I'm pleased with that performance."

Bellingham starred as England won a fourth consecutive tournament opener under Gareth Southgate and the Real Madrid player is embracing his role as a difference-maker for the Three Lions.

He said: "I just enjoy playing football.

"When it comes to each and every game, I take it as a single game, as opposed to looking too far into the future. I realise that in every game I feel like I can make an impact, I feel like I can decide games.

"But that happens on any given game instead of looking too far into the future.

"The truth is that I really enjoy playing football, so when I go out there I play with the fearlessness because I love doing it so much.

"It's a release for me and it's my favourite thing to do in the world, so when I play, it's not much of a job. It feels like a pleasure."