Jude Bellingham urged his England team-mates that they can become world champions after inspiring a 3-2 victory over Mexico, a result that will be remembered as one of the Three Lions’ finest World Cup displays.
England’s challenge in Mexico City
- England travelled to the Estadio Azteca with significant pressure, with Mexico having managed only two defeats in 89 previous home matches and never losing at the World Cup in their first 10 appearances.
- Thomas Tuchel’s side also faced the challenge of an intense crowd of around 80,000, along with the added difficulty of playing at high altitude.
- They then had to cope for more than 45 minutes with a numerical disadvantage after Jarell Quansah was shown a red card.
Bellingham’s decisive first-half
- Even with the setbacks, England gained the platform they needed when Bellingham’s two goals arrived in quick succession, with his first-half strikes coming just 98 seconds apart.
- The Real Madrid midfielder opened the scoring by stooping to finish, silencing the home supporters.
- Bellingham then surged forward to score again, converting 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 delivered key moments of defensive work in his own area.
Mexico responded through Julian Quinones, pulling the game back into contention, but Cesar Montes appeared set to level before half-time when Bellingham extended a leg to clear.
Leadership, belief and a long wait
At 23, Bellingham is already into his fourth major competition and has increasingly taken on a leadership role within the squad.
Alongside Kane, two players regarded as world-class have driven England into a last-eight meeting with Norway, despite performances that have not always looked smooth or flawless.
Bellingham stressed the responsibility he feels alongside the rest of the group. “I’m aware of the responsibility, I’m aware of the pressure that I carry along with all the other players. Each player has a different responsibility on the pitch in terms of their roles, but I know what I can offer to the team.”
He hopes his confidence can spread through the dressing room as England push to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.
“I’m convinced of it and I hope that a win like this can give them that same conviction that they’re top players and we shouldn’t fear anyone. We shouldn’t wait 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes to realise that we’re a very good team. So I hope that this win instils that belief in the squad because they deserve to feel that way about themselves.”
Tuchel’s changing view and England’s history of near-misses
Bellingham’s form since arriving on the other side of the Atlantic has helped settle doubts ahead of the tournament about whether he would necessarily be in the starting lineup under Tuchel.
A year earlier, Tuchel had said that even his own mother found some of Bellingham’s behaviour “repulsive,” adding that it could intimidate team-mates. The German later apologised and has since placed his trust in a player viewed as a generational talent, tracing his rise from when he broke into the Birmingham setup at just 16.
For Bellingham, the tournament path has also included frustration. He has already felt the pain of coming close at major events, only to miss out when it mattered most.
England’s recent record in major finals has been tough: they lost the last two European Championship finals, and they were also narrowly beaten by France in the World Cup quarter-finals four years ago.
The final whistle in Mexico City landed at just after 4:00am (0300 GMT) back in England, but Bellingham called on supporters at home to savour the occasion and enjoy the moment.
“To be a part of an England team that gives so much to the country that can give them these moments and nights like this means just as much as anything in my career and in my life really,” he added.
“Kids stay off school, parents don’t go to work, enjoy the day. Be with your friends, go down the pub again if you can. Enjoy it because these nights don’t come around often.”
With England set to chase further progress, the squad will be hoping Bellingham can provide similar match-winning impact in the next round as they work toward finally bringing the World Cup home.
