Mexico City, July 6: England secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, booking their place in the quarter-finals after surviving a tense finish at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Jude Bellingham starred for England with a sensational first-half brace, scoring in the 36th and 38th minutes to overturn Mexico’s early momentum. The hosts had briefly threatened through Julian Quiñones, whose goal kept the contest alive before halftime.
England extended their advantage in the 60th minute when captain Harry Kane calmly converted a penalty to make it 3-1. However, Mexico refused to give up and reduced the deficit after Raúl Jiménez scored from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, setting up a nervy finale.
England were forced to dig deep during the closing stages, defending resolutely despite playing the final minutes with 10 men. Mexico launched relentless attacks in search of an equaliser, but England’s defence held firm to preserve the lead and secure a memorable knockout victory.
The result sends England into the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Norway, who earlier stunned five-time champions Brazil with a 2-1 victory inspired by Erling Haaland’s late double.
For Mexico, the defeat ends an impressive home campaign after four consecutive wins in the tournament. Despite the disappointment, the co-hosts earned widespread praise for their spirited performances and passionate support throughout the competition, while England’s resilient display strengthens their hopes of mounting a serious challenge for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title.
