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This is not déjà vu; Lightning has struck Mexico City twice, and not just because of ongoing storms in the area.
In England’s round of 16 match against Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium on Sunday, Jude Bellingham scored two goals in two minutes, making him the first player to score two goals at the stadium since 1986. The last player? Argentina legend Diego Maradona, against England.
While Maradona needed just two minutes to score his brace against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup, he didn’t need much more time, with his two goals being spaced just four minutes apart.
Bellingham and Maradona are not the only two players to have scored a World Cup double in this historic stadium, far from it. However, they are part of an elite club of players who have scored at least two goals in the World Cup knockout stages.
Here are all the players who have scored at least two goals at the Estadio Azteca in the World Cup knockout stage, from first to last:
Gerd Müller against Italy (1970 semi-final)
(Photo by Ferdi Hartung/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
In the legendary “Match of the Century” at the Azteca Stadium, Gerd Müller showed exactly why he was feared by defenders around the world. With a spectacular brace in extra time with goals in the 94th and 110th minutes, Müller carried West Germany’s hopes on his back.
As Italy eventually claimed the 4-3 victory, Müller’s clinical performance went straight into the football history books.
Gary Lineker against Paraguay (1986, round of 16)
(Photo by Peter Robinson – PA Images via Getty Images)
Lineker’s first goal came in the 31st minute, converting a close range pass from Steve Hodge which opened the scoring. He ended his day with his second goal in the 73rd minute on a perfect cross and an assist from Gary Stevens which allowed him to seal the victory.
His performance against Paraguay helped England to a 3–0 whitewash victory, making Lineker one of the few English players at the time to score a World Cup double at the historic Estadio Azteca.
Diego Maradona v England (1986 quarter-final)
(Photo by Jean-Yves Ruszniewski/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Maradona has arguably the most controversial double of all time at the Estadio Azteca, and it all starts with the emotional impact of the goals against England. His first goal became famous as the “Hand of God” after Maradona used his left hand to hit the ball past the goalkeeper.
For Maradona’s second goal, he intercepted the ball in his own half, passed several defenders and faked the goalkeeper to score. He scored both goals in four minutes, giving Argentina a 2-1 win and a place in the semi-finals against Belgium.
Diego Maradona against Belgium (1986 semi-final)
(STAFF photo/AFP via Getty Images)
If you can do it once, why not do it twice in consecutive matches? This is exactly what Maradona accomplished against Belgium. His first goal came in the 51st minute, thanks to a delicate chip shot that sailed just over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Maradona’s second goal came in the 63rd minute to give Argentina a 2–0 victory, sending them to the final against West Germany.
Jude Bellingham against Mexico (2026 round of 16)
(Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP via Getty Images)
Bellingham’s double against Mexico at home couldn’t have come at a better time for England. Bellingham struck twice within minutes of each goal, scoring a header in the 35th minute before converting a sliding finish in the 37th minute thanks to an assist from Harry Kane.
He became the first player to score two goals in the round of 16 at the Estadio Azteca stadium in four decades, pushing England into the semi-finals against Norway. History continues to be made for England as they aim for their first World Cup since 1966.
