England fingers Mexico their first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, successful 3-2 to achieve the 2026 quarterfinals.
Printed On 6 Jul 2026
Jude Bellingham’s double inflicted a uncommon defeat on Mexico at their Estadio Azteca as 10-man England received a nerve-racking World Cup traditional 3-2 to achieve the quarterfinals.
Harry Kane additionally scored from the penalty spot because the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah’s crimson card, excessive altitude, and a fervent residence help on Sunday to maintain their quest for a primary main match win in 60 years alive.
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England have relied on Bellingham and Kane all through the match, and the duo has carried them right into a last-eight showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds within the first half to sentence Mexico to only a third defeat in 90 matches on the Azteca.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez lowered the Mexican arrears, however they fell in need of a spot within the quarterfinals.
Victory additionally helped to erase a few of England’s nightmarish recollections on the Azteca within the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, together with the notorious “Hand of God” purpose.
Sunday’s match was delayed by an hour after a thunderstorm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours earlier than the deliberate 6pm (00:00 GMT) kickoff time.
Regardless of the sodden situations, greater than 80,000 followers crammed into the stadium to create a deafening noise.
England coach Thomas Tuchel was cautious of a quick begin from Mexico as his facet adjusted to the altitude of two,240 metres (7,350 ft) above sea stage.
Mexico had flown out of the traps once they received a World Cup knockout sport for the primary time in 40 years in opposition to Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday.
This time, England managed to maintain Javier Aguirre’s facet at bay, however they did want an important intervention from Jordan Pickford to disclaim Jimenez opening the scoring with a diving header that was headed for the underside nook.
Tuchel made three modifications to the facet that wanted a heroic efficiency from Kane to stop an embarrassing early exit to DR Congo.
Quansah was pressured to deputise at right-back with Reece James not match to start out for a 3rd consecutive sport, opening up Tuchel to criticism over his choice to not choose extra specialist cowl within the place.
Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka additionally began out large, and each made telling contributions.
Saka’s cross picked out Bellingham to energy in a header for the primary purpose Mexico conceded in 5 World Cup video games.
The hosts did not compose themselves, as inside two minutes, the Actual Madrid midfielder had doubled England’s lead.
Kane’s ball throughout fell completely for Bellingham to energy in his fourth purpose of the match.
But what ought to have been a cushty lead was almost worn out by half-time.
Quinones blasted in his fourth purpose of the match to spark the Mexico rally after England did not clear a free kick.
Jimenez drilled large and noticed one other header saved by Pickford earlier than Bellingham made a last-ditch intervention to disclaim Cesar Montes a sure equaliser.
Nico O’Reilly almost restored England’s two-goal cushion as his deflected shot cannoned off the publish.
Quansah was proven a straight crimson card on 54 minutes after a VAR evaluate for a mistimed lunge on Jesus Gallardo.
However simply six minutes later, the ten males had added to their lead when Gordon was worn out by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane emphatically dispatched the penalty.
The England captain’s sixth purpose of the match places him only one behind Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe within the race for the Golden Boot.
The sport took one other large momentum swing when, this time, Kane was penalised for a foul inside his personal field and Jimenez slotted residence the penalty to arrange a frantic last 20 minutes.
England, although, stood tall, defending at occasions frantically to withstand the Mexican wave throughout 11 minutes of extra time, and have reached a 3rd consecutive FIFA World Cup quarterfinal.
