TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - England advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after surviving a spirited fightback from co-hosts Mexico to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory in a Round of 16 thriller at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday.
The match, delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms, featured five goals, two penalties, a red card, and relentless pressure from the home side before England held on with 10 men to book a last-eight meeting with Norway, who stunned Brazil earlier in the day.
Jude Bellingham starred for the Three Lions with two goals in the opening half, while captain Harry Kane converted a crucial second-half penalty. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored for Mexico, but their comeback ultimately fell short.
As reported by ESPN, England reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the third consecutive tournament and remain in pursuit of their first world title since 1966. Mexico, meanwhile, failed to reach the last eight for the first time since hosting the World Cup in 1986, extending their long-standing Round of 16 struggles.
England took control with two quick goals from Bellingham, who found the net twice in the space of nine first-half minutes.
The opening goal came after Jordan Pickford launched a quick attack that ended with Bukayo Saka delivering a pinpoint cross for Bellingham to head home. Moments later, Elliott Anderson won possession in midfield before Anthony Gordon and Kane combined to set up Bellingham for his second goal from close range.
Mexico responded before halftime through Quiñones, who volleyed home after England failed to clear a free kick, reigniting the atmosphere inside the packed Azteca Stadium.
According to The Guardian, Mexico nearly equalized before the break as Raúl Jiménez forced an outstanding save from Pickford, while Johan Vásquez and César Montes also threatened from set pieces as England struggled to regain control.
The contest became even more dramatic early in the second half when England right-back Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute following a VAR review. Referee Alireza Faghani upgraded his initial decision after reviewing Quansah's high challenge on Jesús Gallardo.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, England restored their two-goal advantage minutes later. Gordon chased down a long ball before being fouled by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel inside the penalty area, allowing Kane to calmly convert from the spot for a 3-1 lead.
VAR again played a decisive role when Kane was adjudged to have fouled Brian Gutiérrez inside England's penalty area. Jiménez converted from the spot to cut the deficit to 3-2 and set up a tense finale.
Mexico dominated possession during the closing stages, but England's reshuffled defense stood firm. Substitute John Stones produced a crucial intervention deep into stoppage time, while Pickford remained composed whenever called upon.
England also survived a scare when Nico O'Reilly's deflected effort struck the post, while Thomas Tuchel's substitutions helped the visitors withstand sustained Mexican pressure in front of a passionate home crowd.
The victory sends England into a quarterfinal clash against Norway in Miami Gardens, where Erling Haaland awaits after inspiring the Scandinavian side to a shock victory over five-time champions Brazil.
For Mexico, the defeat marked another heartbreaking World Cup exit in the Round of 16. El Tri have now been eliminated at that stage eight times since reaching the quarterfinals on home soil in 1986, with their only other appearance in the last eight coming when they hosted the tournament in 1970.
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