Bellingham scores twice as 10-man England stun Mexico to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds and England survived a red card to beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a last-16 thriller at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, booking a World Cup quarter-final place against Norway in Miami on Saturday.

The victory marked England’s first return to the iconic stadium since Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal knocked them out of the 1986 World Cup, a moment that has loomed over English football for nearly four decades. Bellingham, however, was quick to frame the win in context.

“They went on and won it, so we are still a few games away from righting that wrong,” the Real Madrid midfielder said. “But the focus has to be on the next game. The performance was incredible tonight and we have to enjoy it. We will sing songs until we lose our voices on the plane. We will have a couple of days to recover and we will focus on Norway.”

Bellingham’s brace gave England a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, and he also made a crucial goal-saving block to prevent Mexico from pulling one back before the break. The game grew significantly harder when Jarell Quansah received a red card, forcing England to defend with 10 men as Mexico fought back to 3-2.

Despite the nervy finish, Bellingham insisted the squad should take confidence from the manner of the win rather than dwell on the difficulties.

“I am aware of the responsibility; I am aware of the pressure that I carry, along with all of the other players,” he said. “But we have 26 lads in the squad who can do exactly what I did tonight. I am convinced of it and I hope a result like this can give them conviction that they are top players.”

The 21-year-old also called on his teammates to stop underestimating themselves after England took time to impose their quality on the match. “We shouldn’t fear anyone, we shouldn’t wait 40, 50 minutes to realise we are a very good team. I hope this win instils belief in this squad because they deserve to feel this way.”

England’s quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday represents their next opportunity to keep alive what would be a first World Cup triumph since 1966.