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Nobody had managed to breach Mexico’s defence at this World Cup until Jude Bellingham made his mark.

England faced a formidable challenge on Sunday evening against the co-hosts at the iconic Estadio Azteca, yet they demonstrated that they were ready for the occasion.

The opening 45 minutes produced a thrilling contest. Although England spent much of the half on the back foot, they seized their chances decisively — and it was the Real Madrid midfielder who delivered the breakthrough.

Bellingham’s first goal came as he supported Harry Kane on a counterattack. With the Bayern Munich forward drawing the defenders, Bellingham found himself unmarked at the far post and headed the ball into the net. Barely 99 seconds later, he struck again, forcing the ball home from close range to complete a rapid brace.

This feat made Bellingham the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score twice in a single World Cup match at the Azteca. His double also ranks as the third-fastest brace in World Cup history, behind Kylian Mbappe’s effort for France against Argentina in 2022 and Toni Kroos’s for Germany against Brazil in 2014.

Bellingham now stands just one goal behind Kane, with four to his name in this campaign. Across his World Cup career, he has accumulated five goals and two assists from ten appearances — remarkable numbers for a player still early in his international journey.