England are through to the World Cup quarterfinals after Jude Bellingham delivered a decisive brace in a 3-2 Round of 16 win over Mexico at a packed Estadio Azteca.
The Real Madrid midfielder owned the knockout tie in front of 80,824 fans, scoring twice, hitting the woodwork, and steering England to victory even after the Three Lions were reduced to 10 men by a red card while playing as the away side.
Bellingham needed only three shots to do his damage, and all three were on target. His two goals carried an expected-goals profile of 0.67 xG against 2.12 xG on target, underscoring the quality of his finishes rather than pure volume. The frame denied him a hat trick on another night, but Mexico's back line never found a reliable answer to his movement between the lines.
This was not a one-dimensional performance. Bellingham won 10 of 16 duels, made three tackles with two won, and added three ball recoveries that broke up Mexico counters. A last-man tackle and four clearances reflected how often he tracked back after helping England push forward. He was fouled twice, committed just one foul, and stayed composed as the tie swung in both directions.
England's win aligned with a night when efficiency mattered more than control. Mexico finished with 67 percent possession, 20 shots and 12 corners, yet England landed the bigger moments with three goals from six attempts. Playing down a man for a stretch, the visitors still found a consistent route to goal through their standout No. 10.
On the ball, Bellingham's distribution kept England connected across midfield zones even when the tempo spiked. Fifty-four touches spread through central areas gave the team an outlet when Mexico pressed high, and his carries offered a release valve after turnover-heavy spells. In a tie decided by individual clarity, England leaned on the player who made every touch in the box count.
For England, ranked fourth in the FIFA standings at 1825.97 points, the result extends a World Cup run that has already seen them navigate a demanding knockout path. Mexico, up one place to 15th in the latest FIFA table at 1681.03 points, exit after pushing the tie deep despite their territorial edge.
Bellingham's full-midfield shift — attack, press, recover, repeat — supplied the difference in a game of fine margins and sends England on to the last eight with momentum behind their most influential player.
