Jude Bellingham produced one of the defining individual performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night, lighting up an Estadio Azteca that had been completely absent from the tournament for four decades. By netting twice in a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico, the England midfielder became the first player to score a World Cup goal at the legendary venue since Diego Maradona’s iconic semi-final double against Belgium in 1986. Because the stadium simply had not hosted a World Cup match since that 1986 final, Bellingham’s rapid strikes, scored just 98 seconds apart, effectively broke a 40-year generational freeze on the stadium’s scoring books. In doing so, he not only secured England a place in the quarter-finals but also handed Mexico their first-ever defeat in a World Cup finals match on their hallowed home turf.
Bellingham ends a 40-year wait at football’s most famous stadium
Few venues in football carry the history of the Estadio Azteca. It was where Diego Maradona produced two of the most memorable performances in World Cup history during Argentina’s triumphant 1986 campaign, scoring twice against England in the quarter-finals before adding another brace against Belgium in the semi-finals. For the next 40 years, no player managed to score two goals in a World Cup match at the famous stadium. Bellingham changed that on Sunday. With England and Mexico locked in a tense knockout contest following a weather-delayed kick-off, the Real Madrid midfielder transformed the match in less than two minutes. His first goal arrived in the 36th minute after Bukayo Saka burst down the right and delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the six-yard box. Bellingham timed his run superbly before guiding a close-range header into the bottom corner to become the first player to score against Mexico during the 2026 World Cup. Mexico barely had time to regroup. Just 98 seconds later, England struck again. After winning possession high up the pitch, England quickly released Saka, whose second dangerous delivery again found Bellingham arriving into space inside the penalty area. The midfielder finished confidently from close range to double England’s advantage and stun the Azteca crowd.
England’s Jude Bellingham, left, celebrates with Harry Kane, right, after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
The two goals were separated by only 98 seconds, making Bellingham’s double the third-fastest brace in FIFA World Cup history. Only Toni Kroos, whose two goals came 69 seconds apart for Germany in 2014, and Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice in 97 seconds for France in 2022, have struck quicker back-to-back goals at the tournament.
England withstand Mexico fightback to reach quarter-finals
Bellingham’s goals gave England complete control, but the contest was far from over. Mexico responded before half-time when Julián Quiñones reacted quickest inside a crowded penalty area to smash home from close range after a set-piece created confusion inside England’s defence. The goal reignited both the home crowd and Javier Aguirre’s side, who carried that momentum into the second half. Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Anthony Gordon was brought down inside the box, but Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty of his own following a VAR review to make it 3-2.
England’s Harry Kane (9) scores against Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel (1) after a penalty during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
England were then forced to navigate the closing stages with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review for a studs-up challenge. Mexico launched wave after wave of attacks during 11 minutes of stoppage time, but Jordan Pickford and England’s defence held firm to secure a hard-fought victory. The result also carried historic significance beyond qualification. Mexico had never previously lost a FIFA World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca, having remained unbeaten across the 1970, 1986 and 2026 tournaments before England finally ended that remarkable run.
Another milestone in a remarkable tournament
Jude Bellingham’s brace took him to four goals at the 2026 World Cup and once again decided a big knockout game for England. He even produced a crucial goal-line clearance during first-half stoppage time to preserve England’s advantage before the interval.For all of Harry Kane’s calm penalty and England’s early control, this game will be remembered for that 98-second burst from Bellingham that flipped everything on its head.Mexico made sure England had to suffer for it though. From the moment they pulled it back to 3-2, the pressure barely stopped. Cross after cross, corner after corner, wave after wave, England were hanging on deep into stoppage time with the Azteca shaking around them.It’s a night that will stick around for a while, not just for the result, but for the atmosphere and the way England were pushed to the edge before finally getting over the line.Next up, England move on to the quarter-finals in Miami, where they will face Norway at Hard Rock Stadium.