Jude Bellingham etched his name in fifa world cup England set a World Cup record by scoring the third-fastest brace in World Cup history in a dramatic 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The England midfielder scored twice in just 98 seconds, joining only Germany’s Toni Kroos and France’s Kylian Mbappe. His quick brace not only changed the tide of the knockout rounds, but also helped England survive Mexico’s late counterattack and reach the quarter-finals.
Bellingham joins Kroos and Mbappe in World Cup history
The 23-year-old’s decisive burst midway through the first half helped England briefly dominate one of the most formidable stadiums in world football.Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka broke through from the right and made a precise pass into the penalty area. The midfielder timed his run perfectly to break between defenders and header in from close range to give England a deserved lead.As soon as Mexico restarted, England struck again.Bellingham scored twice in just 98 seconds of the game. England won possession high up the pitch and then launched another quick attack through Saka, whose second dangerous pass again found Bellingham inside the six-yard box. The Real Madrid star coolly fired from close range to double England’s advantage and shock the home fans at the Estadio Azteca.The performance was also historically significant as Jude Bellingham became England’s joint third-highest goalscorer in World Cup history with a brace against Mexico. He has now scored five World Cup goals, equaling Sir Geoff Hurst’s long-standing World Cup goals tally. The two goals were separated by just 1 minute and 38 seconds, making Bellingham’s goal the third fastest at the FIFA World Cup.Only two players have achieved a quicker World Cup double. In the 2014 semi-finals, Germany defeated Brazil 7-1 in history. Toni Kroos scored twice in 1 minute and 10 seconds, ranking first; and when France defeated Argentina in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, Kylian Mbappe scored twice in 1 minute and 35 seconds, ranking second.
A historic night at the Azteca Stadium
His two goals also made him the first World Cup player to score twice at the Estadio Azteca since Diego Maradona achieved the feat for Argentina against Belgium in the 1986 semi-finals. Crucially, the stadium did not host another FIFA World Cup match for the next four decades, meaning there had been no World Cup goals, let alone a brace, since Maradona’s performance until Bellingham broke the sequence.
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5, 2026 in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
His opener was equally important for the hosts, becoming the first goal Mexico has conceded at the 2026 World Cup after four consecutive clean sheets in the group stage and round of 32.
Brees plays decisive role as England progress
Although England took a two-goal lead, Mexico ensured the game remained alive throughout.Julian Quiñones pulled a goal back before half-time, Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion with a penalty after the break, and Raul Jimenez took his own spot-kick after a VAR review to reduce the deficit to 3-2.Jarrell Quasa was then sent off after a VAR review and England played with 10 men in the closing stages, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to withstand relentless pressure in the closing stages to secure a place in the quarter-finals.Although Kane added another goal and Jordan Pickford made a crucial save in the final minutes, the decisive moment of the night came during Bellingham’s stunning 98-second burst. The sequence not only changed the game but permanently cemented the England midfielder among the fastest scorers in World Cup history. Next up, England advance to the quarter-finals in Miami, where they will face Norway at Hard Rock Stadium.
