ENGLAND battled through a tempestuous and high-octane encounter at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday to defeat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 and secure their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite playing more than half the match with ten men, Thomas Tuchel’s side held their nerve to withstand a fierce Mexican comeback and advance thanks to a decisive Jude Bellingham double and a composed Harry Kane penalty.
England made a strong start in front of a vociferous home crowd and took the lead when Bellingham powered in a diving header from a Bukayo Saka cross midway through the first half.
The midfielder struck again moments later, finishing off a swift attacking move initiated down the right flank, with Kane providing the assist to double England’s advantage.
Mexico responded before the break through Julian Quiñones, who volleyed home after a scramble in the box to reignite the contest.
The match took a decisive turn early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card following a VAR review for a high challenge, leaving England to weather sustained pressure.
Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel, but the England captain later conceded a penalty of his own, allowing Raul Jiménez to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finale.
Mexico poured forward in search of an equaliser, but England’s defensive resilience, anchored by key interventions from Jordan Pickford, proved decisive as they clung on under intense pressure.
“It was a crazy game,” Kane said. “We had to fight. We had to find something. I can't really talk. Yeah, the occasion, the team, everything against us. We found a way.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his side’s mentality in overcoming adversity, saying: “When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief.”
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre acknowledged his side’s errors but paid tribute to their effort and the atmosphere generated by the home crowd.
“You can't make mistakes because they punish you,” he said. “We had a couple of errors there, and it saddens me for the people, but my players can be at peace because they did everything they could against a great team.”
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash for England against Norway, who earlier stunned five-time champions Brazil with a 2-1 win. - July 6, 2026
