England booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession to inspire a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
The Three Lions overcame the challenge of playing with 10 men for more than half an hour to inflict Mexico’s first defeat of the tournament and set up a last-eight clash with Norway in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday.
Bellingham silenced the home supporters by opening the scoring in the 36th minute with a well-taken header before doubling England’s advantage just 98 seconds later, finishing from a Harry Kane assist.
Mexico responded before the interval as Julián Quiñones pulled one back in the 42nd minute, giving the hosts renewed belief heading into the second half.
England’s task became even tougher in the 54th minute when defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jesús Gallardo.
Despite being reduced to 10 players, England restored their two-goal cushion after goalkeeper Raúl Rangel fouled an England attacker inside the penalty area.
Captain Harry Kane calmly converted the resulting spot-kick for his sixth goal of the tournament and the 14th of his World Cup career, drawing level with Gerd Müller in fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring chart.
The goal also kept Kane firmly in the race for the Golden Boot, leaving him one goal behind the tournament’s leading scorers — Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
Kane’s evening took another twist when he conceded a penalty, becoming the first player since at least 1966 to both score and give away a penalty in the same World Cup match.
Raúl Jiménez converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Mexico piled on the pressure throughout the closing stages and deep into 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England’s resilient defence held firm to secure a memorable victory.
The defeat extended Mexico’s long wait for a return to the World Cup quarter-finals, a stage they have not reached since hosting the tournament in 1986.
Since then, El Tri have suffered eight round-of-16 exits, failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2022, and missed the 1990 tournament after being disqualified.
