Rooney sees traces of Gerrard and Keane in Bellingham display ahead
According to Sports.
Why this matters
Jude Bellingham's performance against Mexico not only highlighted his individual talent, but also had a significant impact on England's trajectory at the 2026 World Cup. With the victory, the England team advances to the quarter-finals, keeping alive the hope of winning a major trophy for the first time since 1966. Rooney compared Bellingham to legends such as Gerrard and Keane, underlining the importance of decisive moments in major tournaments.
Main conclusions
- Rooney sees traces of Gerrard and Keane in Bellingham's display ahead.
- Rooney rates Bellingham 10/10 after the 3-2 defeat to Mexico at Azteca and puts the performance on par with Gerrard (2005) and Keane (1999).
- Jude Bellingham remains central to England's plans.
Wayne Rooney was full of praise for Jude Bellingham after England's 3-2 victory against Mexico, in an epic World Cup duel played at the Azteca Stadium. The former England international considered that the midfielder's performance, who scored two goals in just 98 seconds, was on par with the legendary nights of Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane in the Champions League. The English team, which ended up reduced to 10 units, secured a hard-fought triumph that places them in the quarter-finals, where they will face Norway, keeping alive the objective of winning a major trophy again for the first time since 1966.
In his BBC podcast, Rooney recalled two historical references to frame the impact of Bellingham. On the one hand, Liverpool's comeback in Istanbul, in the 2005 Champions League final, when Steven Gerrard began the epic recovery from 0-3 to 3-3 and, subsequently, the triumph on penalties against AC Milan. On the other, Roy Keane's immortal performance, in 1999, in the semi-final against Juventus, when the Manchester United captain scored, commanded the somersault on the scoreboard and was decisive in the journey towards the final, despite knowing that a warning would leave him out of the decisive game.
For Rooney, Bellingham had exactly that weight against Mexico: due to the timing of the goals, the ability to drag the team and his dedication in both phases of the game. The forward also made a decisive defensive point: the English international stopped, with a cut from the edge, a shot from César Montes that could have restored the tie (2-2) just before the break. This move, underlined Rooney, illustrates the Real Madrid midfielder's competitive hunger and the way he appeared to help when his teammates needed it most.
The former Manchester United and Everton player even gave maximum marks — 10 out of 10 — to the 23-year-old international's performance in the round of 16, valuing the adverse context: the pressure from Azteca, the toughness of the match and the numerical inferiority in the final stretch. “It was one of those games where we needed someone to carry us”, he highlighted, drawing parallels with Gerrard and Keane, figures who, in key moments, raised the level beyond the ordinary and pushed their teams to unforgettable victories.
With the triumph in the Mexican capital and the lightning double that tipped the scales, Bellingham reinforces its status as England's protagonist in this World Cup. After a night that for Rooney deserves a place in comparisons with two of the greatest individual performances on European stages, the midfielder heads to the quarter-finals with Norway as the next obstacle — and with confidence high in keeping England on course for the semi-finals.
What happens next
With the victory over Mexico, England are now preparing to face Norway in the quarter-finals. Bellingham's performance will be crucial to the team's aspirations, especially considering the pressure to excel at the 2026 World Cup. The player's form could influence not only England's success, but also his future at clubs like Real Madrid, where he continues to impress.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between England and Mexico?
England beat Mexico 3-2.
How many goals did Jude Bellingham score in the game against Mexico?
Jude Bellingham scored two goals.
What is the impact of England's victory on the World Cup table?
The victory puts England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Who will be England's next World Cup opponent?
England will face Norway in the quarter-finals.
Where was the game between England and Mexico played?
The game was difficult
played at the Azteca Stadium.