Jude Bellingham etched his name into the FIFA World Cup record books after scoring the third-fastest brace in tournament history during England’s dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The England midfielder struck twice in the space of just 98 seconds, joining an exclusive list headed only by Germany’s Toni Kroos and France’s Kylian Mbappé. His quickfire double not only transformed the knockout contest but also helped England reach the quarter-finals after surviving a late Mexican fightback.
Bellingham joins Kroos and Mbappé in World Cup history
The 23-year-old produced his decisive burst midway through the first half as England capitalised on a brief spell of dominance inside one of world football’s most intimidating stadiums.Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka broke down the right flank and delivered a precise cross into the penalty area. Timing his run perfectly, the midfielder rose between the defenders to head home from close range and hand England a deserved lead.Mexico had scarcely restarted before England struck again.Just 98 seconds after his opener, Bellingham completed his brace. England won possession high up the pitch before launching another swift attack through Saka, whose second dangerous delivery once again found Bellingham arriving inside the six-yard box. The Real Madrid star calmly converted from close range to double England’s advantage and stun the home crowd at the Azteca.The performance also carried major historical significance, as Jude Bellingham became England’s joint-third highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with his two strikes against Mexico. He now has five World Cup goals to his name, moving level with Sir Geoff Hurst’s long-standing tournament tally. The two goals were separated by only one minute and 38 seconds, making Bellingham’s brace the third-fastest ever recorded at a FIFA World Cup.Only two players have scored a quicker World Cup double. Toni Kroos tops the list after netting twice in one minute and 10 seconds during Germany’s historic 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 semi-final, while Kylian Mbappé occupies second place after scoring twice in one minute and 35 seconds during France’s Round of 16 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Historic night at the Estadio Azteca
His two goals also made him the first player to score a World Cup brace at the Estadio Azteca since Diego Maradona achieved the feat for Argentina against Belgium in the 1986 semi-final. Crucially, the stadium had not hosted another FIFA World Cup tournament in the four decades that followed, meaning no World Cup goals, let alone a brace, had been scored there since Maradona’s performance until Bellingham broke that sequence.
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with 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 equally significant for the hosts, becoming the first goal Mexico had conceded during the 2026 World Cup after keeping four consecutive clean sheets through the group stage and Round of 32.
Brace proves decisive as England progress
Although England established a commanding two-goal lead, Mexico ensured the contest remained alive throughout.Julián Quiñones pulled one back before half-time, Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after the interval, and Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty of his own following a VAR review to reduce the deficit to 3-2.England then played the closing stages with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to withstand relentless late pressure before securing their place in the quarter-finals.While Kane added another important goal and Jordan Pickford produced key saves during the closing minutes, the defining spell of the evening came during Bellingham’s remarkable 98-second burst. It was a sequence that not only changed the match but also secured the England midfielder a permanent place among the fastest goalscorers in FIFA World Cup history. Next up, England move on to the quarter-finals in Miami, where they will face Norway at Hard Rock Stadium.
