2026 FIFA World Cup contenders England held off a spirited fightback from hosts Mexico to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory despite playing more than half an hour with 10 men, sealing a place in the quarterfinals.
Key Highlights:
The Three Lions will now face Norway in the last eight after surviving relentless late pressure from the tournament hosts.
Jude Bellingham gave England control of the Round of 16 contest with two goals in just 98 seconds during the first half. The midfielder headed home the opener in the 36th minute before doubling the advantage two minutes later after being set up by Harry Kane.
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Mexico responded before the interval through Julián Quiñones, who pulled one back in the 42nd minute to keep the hosts in contention.
England’s task became significantly harder in the 54th minute when defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, England restored their two-goal cushion six minutes later after Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel conceded a penalty. Kane calmly converted the spot-kick for his sixth goal of the tournament and his 14th career World Cup goal, drawing level with Gerd Müller on the competition’s all-time scoring list.
Mexico refused to back down and reduced the deficit again in the 69th minute when Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty after Kane was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the area.
The hosts dominated the closing stages, creating several chances during 11 minutes of added time, but England’s defence stood firm. Dan Burn produced a crucial block to deny Jiménez’s bicycle kick, while Declan Rice, John Stones and Morgan Rogers all made vital defensive interventions.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also kept his composure under sustained pressure as England held on to book a quarterfinal showdown with Norway.
For Mexico, the defeat extended their long wait for a World Cup quarterfinal appearance, with the hosts again falling at the Round of 16 stage.
