England Eliminate Co-Hosts Mexico 3-2
England delivered one of their most memorable World Cup performances, becoming the first team to defeat Mexico at Estadio Azteca in a World Cup fixture as they prevailed 3-2 in a dramatic Round of 16 encounter on Sunday night despite playing more than half the contest with 10 men.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a lightning-quick first-half brace, Harry Kane added a crucial penalty, and a resilient rearguard action anchored by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford held firm through 11 minutes of stoppage time to send Thomas Tuchel’s side into the quarter-finals against Norway. Mexico, co-hosts of the tournament, exited at the first knockout stage on home soil in front of a capacity crowd of 80,824.
The match, delayed an hour by lightning storms, lived up to the venue’s reputation as one of football’s most intimidating arenas. Altitude, fervent home support, and relentless pressure tested England to the limit. Yet the Three Lions produced what many are already calling one of the greatest away performances in their tournament history.
Bellingham capitalised on quick interplay to open the scoring in the 36th minute, then struck again just 98 seconds later to stun the Azteca faithful. Mexico responded before halftime through Julián Quiñones, but England went into the break with a 2-1 lead and momentum.
The game swung dramatically early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute following a VAR review. Down to 10 men, England appeared vulnerable. Instead, they found steel. Kane stepped up to convert a 60th-minute penalty for a 3-1 cushion, his sixth goal of the tournament.
Raúl Jiménez pulled one back from the spot in the 69th minute after Kane fouled a substitute in the box, making him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in the same World Cup match. From there, it was siege football. Mexico threw everything forward, but England’s organisation bolstered by late introductions and heroic defending, including 48 total clearances, saw them through.
Pickford made key saves, while central defenders held their shape amid crosses and set-pieces. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the traveling England support, who belted out “Wonderwall” as players collapsed in exhaustion and relief.
“This was a crazy game. We had everything against us – the occasion, the team, the stadium, but we found a way,” Kane said afterward, his voice strained from the emotion and effort.
For Mexico, the defeat ends a campaign full of promise but short on cutting edge in front of goal. Manager Javier Aguirre’s side had gone unbeaten in 10 previous World Cup matches at the Azteca and suffered only their third competitive loss at the venue in nearly 60 years.
Bellingham, named man of the match by many observers, finished with two goals, key dribbles, and defensive contributions that belied his age. At 23, the Real Madrid star continues to elevate his game on the biggest stage.
England now travel to Miami to face Norway and Erling Haaland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. A place in the semi-finals would equal their best modern tournament run and keep alive hopes of ending 60 years of hurt since 1966.
This result does more than advance England. It buries ghosts of past Azteca heartache and signals a squad capable of thriving under extreme pressure. For a night at least, the fortress fell, and football’s romance shone through the thin air of Mexico City.
