Jude Bellingham joins elite group of only two players in World Cup history to reach World Cup in under 100 seconds

England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Jude Bellingham entered the World Cup record books after scoring the third-fastest match in the history of the tournament during England’s dramatic 3-2 round of 16 win over co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The England midfielder struck twice in the space of just 98 seconds to join an exclusive list topped only by Germany’s Toni Kroos and France’s Kylian Mbappé. His quickfire double not only transformed the knockout contest but also helped England reach the quarter-finals after surviving a late Mexican fightback.

Bellingham joined Kroos and Mbappé in World Cup history

The 23-year-old produced his decisive burst midway through the first half as England capitalized on a brief period of dominance in one of world football’s most terrifying stadiums.Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka broke down the right wing and delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area. The midfielder timed his run perfectly, rising between defenders to head home from close range to give England a deserved lead.Mexico had barely restarted before England struck again.Just 98 seconds after his opener, Bellingham completed his brace. England won possession high up the pitch before launching another quick attack through Sak, whose second dangerous delivery again found Bellingham, who arrived inside the six-yard box. The Real Madrid star calmly converted from close range to double England’s advantage, stunning the home crowd at the Azteca.The performance was also of great historical significance as Jude Bellingham became England’s third highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with his two strikes against Mexico. He now has five World Cup goals to his name, moving level with Sir Geoff Hurst’s long-standing tournament tally. The two goals were separated by just one minute and 38 seconds, making Bellingham’s brace the third-fastest on record in a World Cup.Only two players have recorded a faster double at the World Cup. Toni Kroos tops the list after scoring twice in one minute and 10 seconds in Germany’s historic 7-1 semi-final win over Brazil in 2014, while Kylian Mbappé takes second place after scoring twice in one minute and 35 seconds during France’s round of 16 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

A historic night at the Estadio Azteca

His two goals also made him the first player to score a World Cup brace at the Estadio Azteca since Diego Maradona scored for Argentina against Belgium in the 1986 semi-finals. Crucially, the stadium did not host another FIFA World Cup tournament in the four decades that followed, meaning no World Cup goals had been scored there since Maradona’s appearance, let alone braces, until Bellingham broke that sequence.

England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

His opening goal was equally significant for the hosts, becoming the first goal Mexico had conceded during the 2026 World Cup after keeping four consecutive clean sheets in the group stage and round of 32.

Brace is proving to be crucial to England’s progress

Although England built a commanding two-goal lead, Mexico ensured the game remained alive throughout.Julián Quiñones pulled one back before half-time, Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after the break and Raúl Jiménez converted a VAR penalty to cut the deficit to 3-2.England then played the closing stages with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to withstand relentless late pressure to book their place in the quarter-finals.While Kane added another important goal and Jordan Pickford made key saves in the closing minutes, the defining magic of the night came during Bellingham’s remarkable 98-second run. It was a sequence that not only changed the game but also secured the England midfielder a permanent place among the fastest goalscorers in World Cup history. Next, England advance to the quarter-finals in Miami, where they will face Norway at the Hard Rock Stadium.