Belgium winger Adnan Januzaj believes he has shown sceptical English fans his true quality after downing the Three Lions with a sweetly-struck winner in Kaliningrad.
Januzaj toyed with Danny Rose before unleashing a classy finish to hand Belgium a 1-0 win over England on Thursday.
The Red Devils duly topped Group G with maximum points, which could turn out to be a dubious honour if it leads to a quarter-final meeting with Brazil.
But for Januzaj there was a case of personal pride - as well as national interest - at stake.
He was briefly flavour of the month when he came through the ranks at Manchester United, with suggestions the Football Association had even looked into his eligibility for England.
His Old Trafford career soon went off the boil and he left for Real Sociedad after an unsuccessful loan stint at Sunderland spelled the end of his Premier League adventure.
'Obviously my job was to show the people, in the past in England, I had a lot of criticism,' he said after his first international goal.
'I wanted to show those people that I'm here. I'm very happy with that. I'm very pleased to score a great goal against a good opponent.
'I've put in a lot of work. This year I've been playing in a team at Real Sociedad who have made me grow as a player. At 23, the most important thing is to play games and keep progressing. I'm very pleased to be going that way.'
Januzaj still faces a battle to crack Belgium's star-studded first XI, only getting his chance against England as both sides rang the changes, but he now has the taste for the big stage.
'I hope now to keep going,' he said.
'My first goal, there is no greater feeling. I was very pleased with that, and hopefully there'll be more to come in the future.'
tauseef42
0
what a finish by Adnan!!
AaronAlrich
0
next time u should learn, sometime its better to draw than win...
Artuel__Grizhja
0
Januzaj looks wasted meh
swethanagaraju
1
Weldon
standollar
1
weldone bro. you're in no doubt a fantastic young talent. I know one day you will be at your peak. good luck Januzaj
Milan_Poudel
0
Welbeck, c. Ronaldo, Rooney, Rashford, lingard, januzaj and many more are most of d superstars which have been developed by dis same man Utd
topic was never who they grew and who they destroyed it was you arent allowed to critise janujaz after he played so great for your team and still wasnt given chance when van gal arrive
kubeimpru
1
Among Di maria ,zaha , kawaga, javier Hernandez, Schweinsteiger and many others janujaz was one of the players destroyed by manu when you guys bite dust janujaz seemed to be only capable player of playing football
Welbeck, c. Ronaldo, Rooney, Rashford, lingard, januzaj and many more are most of d superstars which have been developed by dis same man Utd
Mobyman
1
Future captain
Milan_Poudel
0
I'm no particular fan of English media but dear Adnan, this is the media that made you known to the world, this is the same media who highlighted you. So, if they were right to make you a inflated promising manequin, they were right to criticise you too. You actually turned rubbish. You're still rubbish at Sociedad, hence you're playing only when the better players are rested. One goal doesn't change the fact that you have no consistency. Shut up.
Among Di maria ,zaha , kawaga, javier Hernandez, Schweinsteiger and many others janujaz was one of the players destroyed by manu when you guys bite dust janujaz seemed to be only capable player of playing football
Zedaeloyz
1
@hi-jack you are a big fool
DavisRD
3
That was one Hell of a GOAL my boy. keep it up.
Elsa98
5
Adnan januzaj is a very skillful player and he shot a beautiful goal into the net!
hi-jack
1
I'm no particular fan of English media but dear Adnan, this is the media that made you known to the world, this is the same media who highlighted you. So, if they were right to make you a inflated promising manequin, they were right to criticise you too. You actually turned rubbish. You're still rubbish at Sociedad, hence you're playing only when the better players are rested. One goal doesn't change the fact that you have no consistency. Shut up.
👍👍👍 Well said.
Philchetz
0
the flop in England who turned them at the World Cup via a magnificent beach of a goal
hi-jack
0
Critics are not haters. Even a Messi or a CR7 is criticised. Adnan had a lot to prove when he was in England. Consistency on the pitch has to be exhibited before anything could be proven. I think there's no such thing as silencing critics. If not on the papers, one cud even get the stick from the manager too. And one goal, especially when the opponents have nothing to lose, might well be a personal glory. As far as the game is concerned, players have a long way to go always to avoid criticism.
Jowaimos
1
I watched him on some occasions with real sociedad and he was impressive if he was an English player he would be praised I know the English press..
stephen_gozie
1
this is still a below average player. watched him slow down Brlgiums attack far to many times. except for the goal... he offered nothing at all. which was okay for Belgium. ...
Bamanclasic
1
Still he needs to improve despite that goal scoring. My opinion
Mrven7ure
0
Loserrrr! One goal doesn't prove anything.
Yes eng 0-1 bel
BAPPSPAULO
1
nice performance januzag haters will hate but it's your turn now to shut them up
Grammer
0
Loserrrr! One goal doesn't prove anything.
Wednesday
1
Even Rio Ferdinand has a World Cup goal.
Justinbra
1
Never getting in that first team though are you
TDgarden
0
Why do players who earn 5 years of wages every week for years, think they can justify themselves by popping a goal in?
poiully
1
Suprised to see him in the national team, has been bad for many season and one goal can't correct history
UARTsure
1
I'm no particular fan of English media but dear Adnan, this is the media that made you known to the world, this is the same media who highlighted you. So, if they were right to make you a inflated promising manequin, they were right to criticise you too. You actually turned rubbish. You're still rubbish at Sociedad, hence you're playing only when the better players are rested. One goal doesn't change the fact that you have no consistency. Shut up.
Keviis
0
Add that to the collection. All 3 of them now is it?
yankeesl
0
I wanna tell you, I might as well dooooo, about a boy who can do anything! His name is Adnan,He comes from Belgium,Januzaj, Januzaj, Januzaj!
deduce
1
A winner against England's second string won't do anything to halt any criticism. I personally literally forgot completely about Januzaj until I saw that he was starting. Never came close to being the "star" that Gary Neville seemed adamant that he would become. Do what Griezmann done whilst he was at Real Sociedad and earn a move to a bigger side and then you will can justifiably call out the critics.
Banylon
1
Great goal; Problem is that it was a goal your team didn't really want to score..,. Great goal, bad timing....
abofeuy
1
Talent was never the issue it was his ego and attitude that was the problem!
Oscarbed
0
Nothing special or any better than your regular semi pro player.
Haydenen
1
You deserved the criticism kid. Get over yourself.
pesikmoru
2
great goal .I wanted fellani to score against those English pussies and give them something to write about .those overrated Representatives of the slave masters
faaizforever
2
It was a really great fantastic GOAL⚽⚽⚽. yeah keep it up janujaz😃😃😃
Prosperity
2
and that was a great goal...👏👍