England secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup after beating Mexico 3-2 at the Mexico City Stadium on Sunday despite playing with 10 men for most of the second half.
Jude Bellingham again rose to the occasion, scoring twice in 98 seconds to put England ahead after reaching Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane’s crosses into the penalty area.
Mexico then halved the deficit four minutes later in the 42nd minute, after Julian Quinones took advantage of a poor clearance from Ezri Konsa and put the ball into the back of the net.
AS IT HAPPENED | HIGHLIGHTS OF MEXICO VS ENGLAND
The co-hosts gained the lead nine minutes into the second half after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jesus Gallardo.
But it was England who struck first in the half after Anthony Gordon was brought down in the penalty area by Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel, before Kane calmly delivered the ensuing spot-kick.
However, Mexico had a chance of their own from the spot after Kane caught Brian Gutierrez trying to clear a loose ball. Raul Jimenez stepped up and found a way past Jordan Pickford to set up a thrilling finish.
But in the end, Thomas Tuchel’s men managed to hold out and progress to the last eight and set up a game against Norway.
Player Ratings Mexico vs England
Mexico
Rangel: 5.3, Sánchez: 6.1, Montes: 5.5, Vásquez: 6.9, Gallardo: 6.1, Alvarado: 7.5, Lira: 6.6, Romo: 6.1, Mora: 5.2, Jiménez: 7.3, Quiñones: 7.4
Subs: Álvarez: 7.0, Gutiérrez: 6.4, Fidalgo: 6.6, Giménez: 5.5
England
Pickford: 7.3, Konsa: 6.0, Quansah: 5.5, Guéhi: 7.3, Anderson: 7.5, Rice: 6.7, O’Reilly: 6.8, Saka: 7.1, Bellingham: 9.4, Gordon: 7.5, Kane: 8.2
Subs: Stones: 6.5, Burn: 6.5, Spence: 6.4
Published on July 6, 2026
