England palms Mexico their first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, profitable 3-2 to succeed in 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 basic 3-2 to succeed in the quarter-finals.
Harry Kane additionally scored from the penalty spot because the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah’s crimson card, excessive altitude and a fervent residence assist 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 that duo have carried them into a final 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 decreased the Mexican arrears however they fell wanting a spot within the quarter-finals.
Victory additionally helped to erase a few of England’s nightmarish reminiscences on the Azteca within the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, together with the notorious “Hand of God” objective.
The match was delayed by an hour after a thunder storm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours earlier than the deliberate 6.00pm (0000 GMT) kick-off time.
Regardless of the sodden circumstances, over 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 2,240 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 did want a vital intervention from Jordan Pickford to disclaim Jimenez opening the scoring with a diving header that was headed for the underside nook.
Tuchel made three adjustments to the facet that wanted a heroic efficiency from Kane to forestall an embarrassing early exit to DR Congo.
Quansah was compelled 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 in that place.
Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka additionally began out extensive and each made telling contributions.
Saka’s cross picked out Bellingham to energy in a header for the primary objective Mexico had 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 objective of the match.
But what ought to have been a snug lead was almost worn out by half-time.
Julian Quinones blasted in his fourth objective of the match to spark the Mexico rally after England did not clear a free-kick.
Jimenez drilled extensive 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 submit.
Quansah was proven a straight crimson card on 54 minutes after a VAR assessment 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 objective 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 big 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 remaining 20 minutes.
England although stood tall, defending at instances frantically to withstand the Mexican wave throughout 11 minutes of further time and attain a 3rd consecutive World Cup quarter-final.
