Wayne Rooney has placed Jude Bellingham’s performance against Mexico in rare company after the Real Madrid midfielder inspired England to a dramatic 3-2 victory in the World Cup last 16.
Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds at the Azteca, helping Thomas Tuchel’s side survive one of the most intense matches of their tournament so far. England finished with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off, but held on to reach the quarter-finals, where Norway now await.
According to BBC Sport, Rooney compared Bellingham’s influence to two famous Champions League performances, Steven Gerrard for Liverpool against AC Milan in 2005 and Roy Keane for Manchester United against Juventus in 1999.
Rooney compares Bellingham to two English greats
Rooney said he had expected a match in which England would need Bellingham to take control, and he felt the 23-year-old delivered exactly that.
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“I felt like that was Bellingham’s one with them two goals, the timing of the goals, his desire, his work rate, his hunger,” Rooney said.
The comparison was a significant one. Gerrard dragged Liverpool back into the 2005 Champions League final after they trailed AC Milan 3-0 at half-time, while Keane produced one of Manchester United’s defining European performances against Juventus in 1999, even though a booking meant he would miss the final.
For Rooney, Bellingham’s night in Mexico City belonged in that same category, not only because of the goals, but because of the scale of the occasion and the responsibility he took on.
A complete performance at the Azteca
As described by Sky Sports, England’s win came after a chaotic match that included a delayed kick-off, Bellingham’s quick-fire double, Quansah’s red card and penalties for both teams.
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Bellingham’s attacking contribution was decisive. His first goal came when he arrived to meet Bukayo Saka’s cross, before he added a second almost immediately after combining with Harry Kane.
But Rooney was just as impressed by the midfielder’s defensive work. Bellingham made a crucial last-ditch intervention to deny César Montes before half-time, a moment that stopped Mexico from levelling the match at 2-2.
Rooney said Bellingham is not always perfectly positioned defensively, but praised his willingness to recover, protect his team-mates and influence the game in every area.
England move on, but pressure grows
Bellingham’s display has only increased the attention around him as England move deeper into the tournament. He is already one of the central figures in Tuchel’s side, and his performance against Mexico showed why England continue to look to him in decisive moments.
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The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg also highlighted Bellingham’s growing role in the England side, writing that the midfielder combined goals, defensive commitment and leadership during the win over Mexico in an all-action display at the Azteca.
England’s next test against Norway will bring another major spotlight. With Erling Haaland waiting on the other side and England still chasing their first major men’s trophy since 1966, Bellingham’s ability to bend matches in his team’s favour may again prove crucial.
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