Jude Bellingham tells England fans to have a day off to celebrate Mexico win

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association, Mexico City

England hero Jude Bellingham has told the nation to have the day off work and school to celebrate the famous World Cup win over Mexico.

Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds in a historic 3-2 last-16 win over the co-hosts at the Estadio Azteca, but that only tells half the story as Thomas Tuchel’s men played over 30 minutes with 10 men in a match that will live long in the memory.

Devoted fans were burning the midnight oil back home to cheer on their team through the night in a delayed 2am UK time kick-off as England provided the perfect antidote to the Monday morning blues.

But with the working week starting just hours after the full-time whistle in Mexico City, Bellingham has urged people to take the day off to celebrate.

“Text your bosses and tell them you’re not coming in, simple as that,” he said.

“I have been an England fan since I was seven years old, the 2010 World Cup was my first one.

“Of course, in recent times we have had better moments but I remember watching a few tournaments and seeing a few of the players that are now on TV talking about it.

“They struggled in these types of nights and it was tough because it felt like the country never really got behind them.

“To be part of an England team that gives so much to the country and can give them nights like this, then it means just as much as anything in my career.

“There are going to be videos galore when I get in the changing room and check my phone.

“Kids stay off school, parents don’t go to work, enjoy your day, have the day off if you can, these nights don’t come often.”

Bellingham put in a monumental performance, scoring twice in 98 seconds to put England 2-0 up in the first half.

He then produced a goal-saving tackle to stop Mexico equalising before half-time, before running himself into the ground as England battled bravely with 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s red card.

Given the adversity his side faced in the build-up, where England battled altitude, a Mexico side with a strong home advantage and an hour’s delay to kick-off after there were electrical storms in the area, Bellingham felt the win was one of the greatest moments of his international career.

“I am proud of the group of lads, a squad, a nation. It felt like a country’s performance,” he said.

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“Everything I have seen this week is the country behind us, we knew how difficult it was going to be, an unbeliveable atmosphere, Mexico are a good team.

“So to get this win is the best night of my England career, definitely.

“I was quite emotional at full-time, I wanted to grab as many players as I could because it was a team win.

“Every single player played their part. No player did more than anyone else.”