Jude Bellingham has joined an exclusive club of footballers to score a brace in a World Cup knockout stage match at the historic Estadio Azteca. The England midfielder achieved this feat during his team's Round of 16 game against Mexico, scoring two goals in quick succession.
Bellingham's performance on Sunday saw him become the first player to score two goals at the Mexico City stadium in a knockout match since 1986. That year, Argentinian legend Diego Maradona also scored two goals at the Azteca in the knockout stages. Maradona’s brace against England in the quarterfinals, famously including the "Hand of God" goal and a solo effort that weaved past multiple defenders, came just four minutes apart. He followed this with another brace against Belgium in the semifinals.
Bellingham scored his goals in the 35th and 37th minutes against Mexico. His first was a header, followed by a sliding finish from a Harry Kane assist. This marked the first time an England player had scored two goals in a World Cup knockout match at the Azteca in four decades.
Other notable players to score braces in the Azteca's knockout rounds include West Germany's Gerd Müller and England's Gary Lineker. Müller scored twice in extra time during the "Game of the Century" semifinal against Italy in 1970. Lineker netted two goals in England's 1986 Round of 16 victory over Paraguay, with his goals coming in the 31st and 73rd minutes.