"Kiss Me, Jude!" – Bellingham’s romantic gesture with Ashlyn Castro lights up World Cup opener

England made a strong start to their 2026 World Cup campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia in Group L.

Harry Kane opened the scoring with a 12th-minute penalty and added a second before halftime, while Jude Bellingham restored the lead shortly after the break with a clinical strike in the 47th minute.

Marcus Rashford sealed the win late on. Croatia fought back to level the score at 2-2 by halftime but couldn’t maintain the momentum against England’s attacking flair under Thomas Tuchel.

The result puts England top of the group and in a commanding position for knockout qualification. The game was high-tempo and entertaining, showcasing England’s offensive firepower and some defensive vulnerabilities that Croatia briefly exploited.

In one of the most talked-about moments after the final whistle, England midfielder Jude Bellingham shared a passionate on-pitch kiss with his girlfriend, American model and influencer Ashlyn Castro.

The images quickly went viral, drawing a mix of fan reactions, from romantic admiration and “couple goals” praise to light-hearted banter and calls for focus on the tournament.

Bellingham, who was outstanding on the pitch with a key goal, capped his night personally as well as professionally in front of a passionate Dallas crowd.

Jude Bellingham and Ashlyn Castro first connected online in late 2024 through flirtatious social media interactions.

They reportedly began dating in early 2025, with their relationship going public in January/February 2025 after being spotted on dates and at matches.

Castro, a 28-year-old model and influencer from Los Angeles, was quickly integrated into Bellingham’s inner circle.

She was seen alongside his parents at Real Madrid games and has regularly supported him in the stands.

Despite occasional scrutiny over her past high-profile links and the six-year age gap, the couple has remained together through the 2025 season and into the 2026 World Cup.