Jude Bellingham called England’s 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca the standout moment of an international career, after a stunning first-half brace and a tireless display with 10 players for 48 minutes, including stoppage time, in a hostile Mexico City atmosphere.
Asked to place the achievement among previous England moments, the Euro 2024 finalist did not hesitate, saying: “It’s right up there. In my England career, it’s probably the pick of the bunch. The atmosphere, the conditions, the performance of the team, the camaraderie… I can’t credit anyone enough for what they’ve done tonight. I couldn’t be prouder and I’m so glad we’ve given our country another night to celebrate.”
Bellingham struck twice in just 98 first-half seconds, setting up England’s progression in Mexico City before Jarrell Quansah’s red card forced Thomas Tuchel’s team to defend the lead. England still edged out Mexico 3-2, surviving intense pressure while a player short for almost the entire second half.
The midfielder became the first footballer to score a brace in a World Cup match at the Estadio Azteca since 1986, matching a landmark last achieved by Diego Maradona. That year, Maradona hit two goals for Argentina in a 2-0 semi-final victory over Belgium at the same famous ground.
Opta data underlined how central Bellingham was to England’s plan with 10 players. The Real Madrid star recorded the most touches for England with 55, won 10 of 16 duels, and led all players for dribbles, attempting eight and completing four during a high-intensity knockout contest.
| Player | Goals | Shots on target | Touches | Dribbles attempted | Dribbles completed | Duels won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | 2 | 3 | 55 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
1986 – Jude Bellingham scored twice, had three shots on target, made eight dribbles and won 10 duels last night. He was the first player to produce all of those numbers in a FIFA World Cup knockout match since Diego Maradona in the 1986 semi-final vs Belgium. Footsteps. pic.twitter.com/kExN9OftJvOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026">
Bellingham’s goals also invited direct comparison with Maradona’s famous 1986 quarter-final brace against England at the same venue, when the "hand of God" goal and the "goal of the century" combined to form one of the most discussed individual displays in World Cup history.
Questioned on ITV Sport about matching Maradona’s scoring feat at the Azteca, Bellingham answered modestly: "He’s far greater than me! But it’s nice company to be in. Obviously for me, growing up as an England supporter, it was always seeing us play in these gamesin tough atmospheres against tough oppositionand we’d crumble. To be part of a team that’s stood tall against all the adversity and come out on top, I’m so proud. Growing up as an England fan, you always wished the teams had a bit more bite and a bit more personality, and we’ve shown that. For the lads that are new, who haven’t played in these games before, it’s the perfect message to themthat they can handle it."
Before the tie, England head coach Thomas Tuchel had suggested there might be a sense of "karma" due to England, after Maradona’s infamous first goal in 1986, scored with a handball that stood and helped Argentina towards the title later that same tournament.
Jude Bellingham England World Cup views on karma and trophy hopes
Bellingham responded cautiously to talk of historical balance being restored, stressing that England must still complete the job at this World Cup to change that story. The midfielder said: "We’re still a few games away from that. I think karma comes when... well, they [Argentina] won it in ’86. Karma’s not fulfilled yet, but we’ll see what we can do. I’m so proud of this squad, it was more than me, more than Harry [Kane], more than the manager, it was a performance from all the squad."
The 23-year-old highlighted how the group handled pressure in a demanding environment. Bellingham felt England answered questions that had followed past generations, who often struggled in such intense conditions away from home against elite opposition in decisive tournament fixtures.
Jude Bellingham England World Cup reaction from team-mates
Anthony Gordon played a major supporting role, contesting 21 duels, more than any other player on the pitch, matching Bellingham’s 10 successful duels and winning the decisive penalty that Harry Kane converted to secure England’s winning goal from the spot.
Gordon used post-match interviews to highlight Bellingham’s influence on and off the pitch, offering glowing words about the midfielder’s talent and character. Gordon said: "He’s a global superstar for a reason. He’s 23 years of age, and what he’s achieved so far is just incredible. More importantly, he’s a one-of-a-kind human being. He’s so humble, he never talks about himself. He puts the lads first and makes people feel special. He’s just an incredible human being."
Between Bellingham’s brace, Kane’s penalty and the collective defensive effort after Quansah’s dismissal, England produced a result that carried historical weight at the Estadio Azteca. The performance strengthened belief within Tuchel’s squad that this World Cup campaign can surpass previous near misses and potentially deliver the trophy that would finally change the narrative since 1986.
Story first published: Monday, July 6, 2026, 19:07 [IST]
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