AFCON 2025
Jude Bellingham scored twice in the space of 98 seconds to fire England into the World Cup quarter-finals, as Thomas Tuchel’s side survived a red card and a raucous Azteca Stadium to beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute, heading home a Bukayo Saka cross, before doubling England’s lead moments later when Harry Kane squared the ball across for a simple finish. The blistering double stunned a crowd of more than 80,000 inside the iconic Mexico City venue.
Julian Quinones halved the deficit before halftime, firing home after England failed to clear a free kick, and the game turned further in Mexico’s favour when Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card early in the second half for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo.
England responded within minutes. Kane converted from the spot after goalkeeper Raul Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon. Still, the captain then gave away a penalty of his own, allowing Raul Jimenez to pull Mexico back within one goal.
Jordan Pickford proved decisive in the closing stages, denying Jimenez with a flying save, while Bellingham made a goal-saving clearance to deny Cesar Montes an equaliser as England held on with ten men.
The win carried historic weight. England became the first team ever to beat Mexico in a World Cup match at the Azteca, ending a run of ten previous meetings without defeat for the hosts at the stadium, and just the third side to win there in 89 competitive matches overall.
England will now face Erling Haaland’s Norway in the quarter-finals in Miami Gardens on Saturday, aiming to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018.
