England beats – Jude Bellingham scored twice 98 seconds apart, and Harry Kane’s penalty swung the match after England went down to 10 men. Jordan Pickford and England’s defence then held on as Mexico launched a relentless late attack to give the Three Lions a 3-2 win and a Wo
Mexico City felt like a fortress until Sunday night.
At Estadio Azteca. with more than 80. 000 watching and a Mexico side that had been unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches—including three this year—England ripped the spell apart with a ferocious 3-2 win. Jude Bellingham wrote the first electrifying line of the script. scoring two goals 98 seconds apart. and the Three Lions kept their nerve all the way to the final whistle to reach the quarterfinals.
Bellingham struck in the 36th minute with a header and followed up in the 38th, this time finishing on a pass from Harry Kane. Mexico’s reply came quickly: Julián Quiñones scored for El Tri in the 42nd minute, leaving the match delicately poised.
England’s advantage didn’t survive the middle phase. In the 54th minute, England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo. It looked like the momentum had tipped—then the game turned again, this time in England’s direction. England were awarded a penalty after a challenge by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and Kane converted. It was Kane’s sixth goal of this tournament and the 14th of his World Cup career. bringing him level with Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the scoring list.
Kane’s night took an extra turn for the record books after that. He committed a foul that made him the first player since at least 1966 to both score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game. Raúl Jiménez converted the penalty with a stutter-step approach to bring Mexico back to 3-2.
From there, Mexico attacked relentlessly over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, pouring forward in search of the equaliser. Jordan Pickford and England’s defenders held firm, even as the pressure intensified and every clearance seemed to be bought with pure will.
England’s reward is a quarterfinal tie against Norway. The next step comes on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, with a chance to reach the semifinals.
For Mexico, the loss is a painful reminder of how hard it has been to go deep at this stage. Mexico has not reached the quarterfinals since hosting in 1986. Since then. it has lost in the round of 16 eight times. failed to advance past the group stage in 2022. and was disqualified from the 1990 tournament.
England Mexico World Cup Jude Bellingham Harry Kane Jordan Pickford Raúl Rangel Raúl Jiménez Julián Quiñones Jarell Quansah Jesús Gallardo Norway quarterfinals Estadio Azteca