England are through to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Mexico 3-2 in a turbulent round-of-16 tie at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Jude Bellingham was the decisive figure, scoring both English goals before half-time. He opened the scoring in the 36th minute following a move created by Bukayo Saka, then added a second two minutes later with Harry Kane involved in the build-up. Mexico pulled one back through Julián Quiñones in the 42nd minute to make it 2-1 at the break.
The second half brought fresh chaos. Jarrell Cobwell was sent off in the 54th minute, leaving England to defend with ten men. Kane converted a penalty in the 60th minute to restore the two-goal cushion, but Raúl Jiménez replied from the spot in the 69th to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finale. England held on.
The statistics told a lopsided story. Mexico dominated possession at 66% to England’s 34% and attempted 18 shots to England’s 6, with both sides registering 5 on target. Mexico’s expected goals figure of 1.87 compared to England’s 1.55 — yet it was the English side that made their chances count.
Bellingham was named player of the match with a rating of 9.2. England will now face Norway in the quarter-finals, after Norway earlier eliminated Brazil.
