Jude Bellingham wrote his name in the FIFA World Cup made history after scoring the third-fastest goal in the history of the game as England won 3-2 in the Round of 16 against rivals Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The England midfielder scored twice in just 98 seconds, joining the likes of Germany’s Toni Kroos and France’s Kylian Mbappé. His fiery double not only changed the knock-out competition but also helped England reach the quarter-finals after surviving a late fightback in Mexico.
Bellingham joins Kroos and Mbappé in World Cup history
The 23-year-old was brilliant midway through the first half as England dominated in one of the world’s most dangerous stadiums.Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka broke down the right side and crossed into the goal area. In a moment of good run, the midfielder rose between the defenders to head home from close range to give England a well-deserved lead.Mexico had not yet recovered before England won again.Just 98 seconds into the opener, Bellingham completed his brace. England took the lead before quickly launching another threat through Saka, whose second dangerous delivery found Bellingham arriving inside the six-yard box. The Real Madrid star calmly converted from close range to double England’s lead and stunned the home crowd at the Azteca.The game also had a big history, with Jude Bellingham becoming England’s third all-time goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with his brace against Mexico. He now has five World Cup goals to his name, moving past rival Sir Geoff Hurst. The two goals were separated by just one minute and 38 seconds, making Bellingham the third fastest goal ever recorded at the FIFA World Cup.Only two players have scored twice in the World Cup. Toni Kroos topped the list after scoring twice in 1 minute and 10 seconds in Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in the 2014 semi-final, while Kylian Mbappé came in second after scoring twice in 1 minute and 35 seconds in France’s last 16 match against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
A night of history at the Estadio Azteca
His two goals also made him the first player to score in a World Cup at the Estadio Azteca since Diego Maradona scored Argentina’s winner against Belgium in the 1986 semi-final. Crucially, the stadium did not host another FIFA World Cup for the next four decades, meaning no World Cup goals, let alone goals, were scored there from Maradona’s feat until Bellingham broke the record.
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
His opener was crucial for the hosts, becoming the first goal Mexico conceded at the 2026 World Cup after keeping four consecutive clean sheets in the Round of 32.
Brace confirms England’s progress
Despite England establishing a two-goal lead, Mexico ensured the contest stayed alive throughout the period.Julián Quiñones pulled one back before half-time, Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead from danger after the interval, and Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty following VAR review to reduce the deficit to 3-2.England played the final with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to withstand late pressure before securing their place in the quarter-finals.While Kane added another important goal and Jordan Pickford pulled off a late save, the defining moment of the evening came when Bellingham exploded for 98 seconds. It was a sequence that not only changed the game but also made the England international a permanent place among the greatest players in the history of the FIFA World Cup. After that, England will advance to the quarter-finals in Miami, where they will face Norway at the Hard Rock Stadium.
