Mexico: England booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in an enthralling Round of 16 encounter at Mexico Stadium on Monday. A brilliant first-half brace from Jude Bellingham and a crucial second-half penalty from captain Harry Kane proved decisive as the Three Lions survived a spirited Mexican comeback to advance to the last eight.
England will now face Norway national football team in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Miami.
Bellingham Sets the Tone
Mexico began brightly, controlling possession and enjoying strong support from the home crowd. However, it was England who struck first against the run of play.
In the 36th minute, Bellingham latched onto a cross from Bukayo Saka and calmly finished to give England a 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later, the midfielder doubled the advantage with another clinical effort, stunning the Mexican supporters and putting England firmly in control.
Mexico responded before halftime when Julián Quiñones pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute with a powerful strike, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and reigniting hopes among the home fans.
England Hold Firm Despite Red Card
The second half brought more drama. England nearly restored their two-goal cushion early after the restart, but defender Nico O’Reilly saw his effort crash against the post.
The turning point appeared to come in the 54th minute when defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for a foul on Jesús Gallardo inside the penalty area, leaving England to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Despite being a player down, England extended their lead six minutes later. Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon inside the box, and Harry Kane confidently converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-1.
Mexico refused to surrender. After a VAR review, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Kane was judged to have fouled Brian Gutiérrez inside the area. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez stepped up and converted, narrowing the score to 3-2.
Mexico Fight Until the End
With a numerical advantage and passionate home support behind them, Mexico launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equalizer. However, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several important interventions, while England’s defense stood firm under relentless pressure.
Despite Mexico’s determination and attacking intent, England successfully protected their slender lead to secure a memorable victory and keep their World Cup title hopes alive.
Kane Praises Team Spirit
Following the match, Harry Kane hailed his teammates for their resilience and collective effort.
“We had to give absolutely everything to beat Mexico,” Kane said. “There were many heroes in our team tonight. I’m proud of the spirit and determination we showed. Playing against the host nation away from home is one of the toughest challenges in football, and the way we stayed together made the difference.”
The England captain, who has now scored six goals in the tournament, added that hard-fought victories like this help strengthen team unity as the competition progresses.
Tuchel: ‘We Never Lost Belief’
England head coach Thomas Tuchel praised his players for maintaining composure under pressure.
“I’m very proud of the team,” Tuchel said. “This was an extremely difficult match. Every time it felt like we were gaining control, we faced another challenge. But the players never lost belief. They kept fighting and trusted each other.”
Looking ahead to the quarter-final, Tuchel acknowledged the threat posed by Norway.
“Norway are a very strong side with several dangerous players. It will be another tough test for us,” he added.
Aguirre Proud Despite Defeat
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre expressed pride in his team’s performance despite the loss.
“I cannot blame my players,” Aguirre said. “We gave everything we had. At the World Cup, even small mistakes can be costly. We took risks and tried to make the most of our extra player, but it wasn’t enough. I’m grateful to everyone who supported us throughout the tournament.”
Although Mexico’s World Cup journey ended in heartbreak, the hosts earned widespread admiration for their courage and determination against one of the tournament favorites.
England, meanwhile, move on to the quarter-finals with momentum, confidence, and a date with Norway as their quest for World Cup glory continues.
