England booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter finals after a thrilling 3-2 victory over co hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame the challenge of playing with 10 men for more than half an hour to end Mexico’s remarkable home unbeaten run and secure a last eight meeting with Norway.
Before kick off, Mexico stayed faithful to the side that defeated Ecuador, with Javier Aguirre naming an unchanged starting XI. Tuchel, however, made three changes to the England team that narrowly beat DR Congo. Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon replaced Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford on the wings, while Jarell Quansah returned from injury at right back in place of Djed Spence.
Mexico threatened first in the 15th minute when Roberto Alvarado whipped in an inviting cross for Raul Jimenez. The striker powered a header towards goal, but Jordan Pickford reacted brilliantly to push the effort away at his near post. The save marked another milestone for England’s goalkeeper, who equalled Peter Shilton’s record of 17 World Cup appearances for the Three Lions.
England responded in the 26th minute as Gordon chased down a long diagonal pass, kept the ball in play and fired from a tight angle. His effort lacked the necessary power to beat Luis Angel Malagon Rangel, who gathered comfortably.
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute through a devastating England counter attack. Jimenez failed to control a lofted pass inside the England penalty area, allowing Pickford to launch a quick throw. Declan Rice surged forward before releasing Saka on the right. His cross drifted beyond Harry Kane and found Jude Bellingham unmarked at the back post, where the midfielder headed England into a 1-0 lead.
England doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Elliot Anderson won possession deep inside Mexico’s half before Gordon fed Bellingham, who combined neatly with Kane. The England captain returned the ball across the area, allowing Bellingham to finish from close range and complete a clinical move for his second goal of the evening.
Mexico refused to surrender and reduced the deficit in the 41st minute. Alvarado’s dangerous free kick caused confusion inside the England box before Julian Quinones reacted quickest to smash a volley into the roof of the net. The goal was his fourth of the tournament, matching Luis Hernandez’s record for the most goals scored by a Mexico player at a single World Cup.
The hosts almost levelled before the break. Jimenez dragged a half volley narrowly wide before forcing another outstanding save from Pickford with a powerful header. Moments later, Bellingham produced a superb goal line clearance to deny Cesar Montes after a Mexico corner, preserving England’s narrow 2-1 lead at half time.
England nearly extended their advantage early in the second half when Nico O’Reilly struck the post with a superb volley in the 49th minute. However, the match took another dramatic turn five minutes later. After initially allowing play to continue, the referee reviewed Quansah’s challenge on Gallardo and upgraded the decision to a red card, reducing England to 10 men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, England won a penalty in the 58th minute. Kane battled his way past his marker before Gordon raced into the box and was brought down by Rangel. Kane remained calm from the spot two minutes later, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore England’s two goal cushion at 3-1.
Mexico responded once again. The referee reviewed another challenge after Gutierrez went down inside the area and awarded the hosts a penalty in the 67th minute. Jimenez stepped up and confidently converted in the 69th minute to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finish.
The final stages saw Mexico throw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Fidalgo tested Pickford with a deflected long range effort in the 89th minute, but the England goalkeeper gathered comfortably before using every second possible to slow the game down. Tuchel strengthened his defence by replacing Kane with Morgan Rogers for the closing moments as England protected their slender lead.
The result ended Mexico’s extraordinary unbeaten record at the Estadio Azteca in competitive matches, which had stretched back to a 2-1 defeat against Honduras in September 2013. Before this match, El Tri had also never lost a World Cup fixture at the famous stadium, boasting a record of eight wins and two draws.
At the final whistle, England celebrated one of their most determined performances of the tournament. Bellingham’s first half brace, Kane’s nerveless penalty and Pickford’s series of crucial saves proved enough to seal a memorable victory. Playing more than 35 minutes with 10 men only added to the achievement as the Three Lions marched into the World Cup quarter finals, where Norway now await after their historic victory over Brazil.
