Mexico City’s altitude, the noise of the Estadio Azteca and a World Cup host carrying an unbeaten record into the knockout rounds formed the backdrop to one of England’s defining nights of 2026. Jude Bellingham has singled out England’s 5 July victory over Mexico as a landmark moment in his international career.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored twice as England defeated Javier Aguirre’s Mexico in the World Cup round of 16, sending the European side into the next stage despite playing part of the match with 10 men after defender Jarrell Quansah was dismissed.
Bellingham recalls Azteca test
Speaking during a question-and-answer session with England, Bellingham said the trip to Mexico stood apart among his strongest memories from the tournament. He pointed to both the physical challenge of playing at altitude and the scale of facing the host nation in a stadium where Mexico have long been formidable.
“The match in Mexico is the one for me; it was such a major occasion,” Bellingham said. “There was so much discussion beforehand about the altitude and going somewhere they had controlled for years, especially at a World Cup. To deal with that adversity and make a positive contribution in the game was incredible.”
Mexico had reached the last 16 without defeat, making the occasion an especially demanding assignment for England. Bellingham’s double proved decisive in ending the hosts’ campaign and preserving England’s own hopes of lifting the trophy.
A return to a difficult stadium
The result also carried a longer historical weight for England. The Azteca was the setting for their 1986 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina, a match forever associated with Diego Maradona. Four decades later, England returned to the same arena and left with a knockout victory.
England coach Thomas Tuchel, along with forwards Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, has also reflected on the scale of the Mexican challenge and the significance of securing qualification on home territory for the tournament hosts.
