Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Vinicius bows out with Brazil; Bellingham helps England bury the ghosts of Azteca

Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Vinicius bows out with Brazil; Bellingham helps England bury the ghosts of Azteca The 2026 FIFA World Cup truly came to life last night as it served up two absolute classics that will be remembered for a long time to come. Brazil took on Norway in the first game, hoping to eliminate the Vikings and keep their dream of a sixth star alive. It was a game that was tightly contested throughout. Brazil had the opportunity to take an early lead after Matheus Cunha was fouled inside the box. However, Bruno Guimaraes saw his penalty effort saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper, keeping the score at 0-0 until the 80th minute. It was then that Erling Haaland chose to burst into life. The Manchester City striker scored a quick-fire brace to end Brazil’s hopes of progressing to the next round. A late penalty awarded to Carlo Ancelotti’s side proved to be more of a consolation goal for Neymar on his last ever appearance for his nation than anything else. England took on Mexico at the Azteca, hoping to bury the ghosts of 1986 and progress to the next round, where they will face Norway. It was a sensational game that kept swinging one way and then the other, and ended up being arguably the best game so far at this World Cup. From a Real Madrid perspective, Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Jude Bellingham were in action, so let us see how they fared. Vinicius Junior vs Norway Vinicius was the only bright light in Brazil’s outing vs Norway. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) For Vinicius, it was a painful exit because he was one of the few Brazil players who still looked capable of breaking the game open. He created two chances, completed six dribbles and took two shots, including one big opportunity. Vinicius can still generate danger even when the team around him lacks rhythm, but Brazil never gave him enough support or a clean attacking structure. Too much depended on individual actions. His best moment came when he threaded a brilliant trivela pass through to Endrick, creating the kind of chance that could have changed the entire tie. Instead, the young striker could not turn it into a goal, and Norway punished Brazil soon after. Endrick vs Norway Endrick’s cameo will hurt. He came on in the second half with Brazil needing energy, aggression and a penalty-box presence, but the defining moment became the chance he could not finish. For a teenager, that is brutal, but it is also part of an elite football education. The disappointment is obvious, but there is no need to overreact. Endrick is still learning how to carry pressure at this level. The problem for Brazil was not one young striker missing one chance. It was a whole attack that never looked fully convincing. Jude Bellingham vs Mexico Bellingham’s night was the complete opposite. England beat Mexico 3-2 in a chaotic round-of-16 tie, and the Madrid midfielder scored twice in the first half to give his side a 2-0 lead. Jude Bellingham scored two goals against Mexico. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) The first goal came from a perfectly timed run and header, and the second arrived just 98 seconds later as Bellingham finished from close range. This was Bellingham at his most Madrid-like: decisive, fearless and ready for the biggest atmosphere. The Azteca was loud, hostile and emotionally loaded, but he looked like a player feeding off it rather than shrinking from it. He also contributed defensively, including an incredible last-ditch challenge just before half-time. Bellingham’s value is not just goals from midfield, it is the way he fills every corner of a match with responsibility. Vinicius and Endrick head home with Brazil earlier than expected, while Bellingham moves on after one of the performances of the knockout stage.