England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach 2026 World Cup Quarter-Finals despite red card drama
Sunday, July 2026, MEXICO CITY
England produced one of their finest World Cup displays to defeat Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 tournament.
The Three Lions twice took a two-goal lead, played over 45 minutes with 10 men, and survived 11 minutes of stoppage time in a frantic finish to book their spot in the last eight.
Kick-off was delayed by an hour due to storms around Mexico City, but once the game started, it was Mexico who came out fastest. Jordan Pickford was called into action early, diving to keep out a header from Raul Jimenez as El Tri looked to take control in front of a roaring home crowd.
England grew into the game and struck twice in quick succession. In the 36th minute, Bukayo Saka drove to the byline and delivered a perfect cross for Jude Bellingham to head home at the back post. Just 98 seconds later, Bellingham was on the scoresheet again, bundling the ball in after a pass from Harry Kane to make it 2-0.
Mexico hit back before the break. Julian Quinones pulled one back with a powerful finish after a free-kick was not properly cleared. Jimenez then went close twice – firing wide and then seeing another header superbly saved by Pickford.
The atmosphere intensified in the second half and the game turned on its head when Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo. England were forced to play the bulk of the second half a man down.
Despite that setback, England restored their two-goal cushion from the penalty spot. Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane stepped up to convert, keeping himself firmly in the Golden Boot race.
But the drama was not over. Kane then became the culprit at the other end, conceding a penalty for kicking Brian Gutierrez. Jimenez scored from the spot to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finale.
With Mexico pushing for an equalizer, England manager Thomas Tuchel turned to Dan Burn and Djed Spence, switching to a five-man defence to see out the game. The backline held firm through 11 minutes of added time amid a deafening Azteca atmosphere.
The victory sends England into the World Cup quarter-finals and extends their best run in the tournament since 2018. Bellingham’s brace earned him player of the match, while Pickford’s saves proved crucial.
England will now wait to see who they face in the last eight as their World Cup campaign continues.
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