Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, and Harry Kane converted a penalty after England was reduced to 10 men, as England beat Mexico 3-2 at Estadio Azteca to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.
When Jude Bellingham found the net, Estadio Azteca didn’t just go loud—it buckled. Then it happened again, 98 seconds later, and England suddenly looked like the team that could break Mexico’s streak at a venue where El Tri had been unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches.
Mexico, playing to protect that history, saw it shatter in a wild 3-2 victory on Sunday night that pushed England into the quarterfinals.
Bellingham struck in the 36th minute with a header, then added his second in the 38th after a pass from Harry Kane. The turnaround felt sudden, especially after Mexico responded with Julián Quiñones scoring in the 42nd minute.
England’s advantage got complicated in the 54th minute when Jarell Quansah was sent off for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo. Just as the game appeared to tilt Mexico’s way, the moment swung again: England was awarded a penalty for a challenge by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and Kane converted.
It was Kane’s sixth goal of the tournament and the 14th of his World Cup career. The tally matched Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the scoring list. Kane, already chasing the Golden Boot race, now sits one goal behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
The drama didn’t stop there. Kane committed a foul that made him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game. Raúl Jiménez then converted the kick with a stutter-step approach, pulling Mexico to within one at 3-2.
Over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, Mexico attacked relentlessly. But goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England’s defenders held steady.
For Mexico. the loss carried the weight of a rare defeat at home—one it hadn’t suffered in a World Cup match at Azteca before this night. The defeat was also a reminder of how high the stakes were: Mexico has not reached the quarterfinals since hosting in 1986. and 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’s season now moves to its next stop. The team is set to face Norway on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, for a spot in the semifinals.
England vs Mexico Estadio Azteca Jude Bellingham Harry Kane World Cup quarterfinals Jordan Pickford Raúl Jiménez Raúl Rangel Julián Quiñones Norway