England gamers have a good time after the Fifa World Cup 2026 Spherical of 16 match in opposition to Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, July 5, 2026. — Reuters
MEXICO CITY: Ten-man England weathered a Mexico storm on the Azteca Stadium to achieve the World Cup quarter-finals for the third straight time with a rip-roaring 3-2 victory over the co-hosts on Sunday due to a Jude Bellingham double and Harry Kane penalty.
Thomas Tuchel’s facet made it onerous for themselves however handed the battling Mexicans their first-ever World Cup defeat on the iconic stadium to arrange a last-eight conflict with Norway who shocked Brazil 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
Mexico had solely misplaced two aggressive video games on the Azteca in 89 matches since 1966 however England deserved to make it three.
After the sport was delayed by an hour on account of thunderstorms, Mexico attacked from the beginning backed by their fanatical assist who raised the decibel stage even larger than of their earlier matches at their dwelling fortress, however England held agency and managed to take the sting out of the sport.
Bellingham put England forward with a diving header from Bukayo Saka’s effective cross simply previous the half-hour and made it 2-0 inside two minutes after one other break down the precise with captain Harry Kane offering the centre.
Quinones lifeline
The Mexican crowd responded with chants of “Yes we can” and their gamers responded when livewire winger Julian Quinones volleyed dwelling contained in the field after a scramble following a free kick to get the hosts again into the match.
Mexico’s Julian Quinones scores their first purpose previous England’s Jordan Pickford through the Fifa World Cup 2026 Spherical of 16 Mexico in opposition to England match, Estadio Azteca, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, July 5, 2026. — Reuters
They acquired additional encouragement after the break when England defender Jarell Quansah was despatched off for a rash problem. The guests stored their cool, although, and after Anthony Gordon was fouled by the keeper on the hour, Kane calmly scored from the spot.
Simply as England seemed to get pleasure from some respiration house, captain Kane gave away a penalty as he tried to clear the ball and after a VAR evaluate the referee pointed to the spot. Raul Jimenez stepped as much as make it 3-2 and provides Mexico hope once more.
With simply over 20 minutes to go England had their backs to the wall and needed to dig deep to maintain the Mexicans at bay. Regardless of giving up many of the possession, they held on for a well-known victory within the final match of this World Cup in Mexico.
It was England’s first go to to the well-known stadium since they misplaced to Argentina within the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals after Diego Maradona’s notorious “Hand of God” purpose and mazy dribble by way of a hapless defence sank Bobby Robson’s facet.
