Mexico City (AFP) – Jude Bellingham told his England teammates they can be world champions after leading by example in a 3-2 win over Mexico that will go down as one of the Three Lions' best ever World Cup triumphs.
Issued on: 06/07/2026 - 07:38
3 min Reading time
The odds were stacked against Thomas Tuchel's men as they entered the lion's den of the Estadio Azteca, where Mexico had only lost twice in 89 previous matches and never in 10 outings at the World Cup.On top of facing down a passionate 80,000 crowd, England also had to cope with playing at high altitude and over 45 minutes a man down after Jarell Quansah's red card.But by that point, Bellingham's first half double, scored just 98 seconds apart, had given the visitors something to hold on to.The Real Madrid midfielder stooped to silence the home crowd to open the scoring.Bellingham then charged forward to convert Harry Kane's cross for his fourth goal of the tournament."It's the best night of my England career. Just unbelievable," said Bellingham, who also performed heroics in his own box.
Jude Bellingham has scored four times in five games at the World Cup © Rodrigo OROPEZA / AFP
