Mexico 2-3 England: Jude Bellingham’s superb quick-break goal helped the Three Lions get past Mexico despite losing Jarrell Quansah to a red card early in the second half.
Jude Bellingham celebrating with Anthony Gordon (Image: 2026 FIFA)
Jude Bellingham overcame altitude and a hostile home crowd to run through the Aztec gauntlet, survive a late onslaught down to 10 men and inspire England to a thrilling victory over Mexico.
Thomas Tuchel’s side await a showdown with Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals, but as in previous games, England had to endure their fair share of ups and downs to emerge victorious.
Bellingham’s two quick goals silenced the opposing home crowd, but there were more twists and turns and unfortunately the visitors were unable to equalize at the break.
Jarrell Quansah was then shown a red card after a VAR review for a high tackle early in the second half, but Harry Kane’s penalty restored England’s two-goal cushion. However, Raul Jimenez also scored from 12 yards to bring Mexico back on par with Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Mexico then laid siege to Jordan Pickford’s goal, backed by screaming fans. But England held firm and fought through 11 painful minutes of stoppage time to record one of the most memorable victories of Tuchel’s reign.
Mexico had the first big chance of the game, with Jimenez firing a bullet header at Pickford’s near post. Fortunately for England, the keeper jumped down to his left and flicked the ball away with his big, powerful hands.
The dazzling and direct Anthony Gordon reacted aggressively with a driving run to win a corner kick, and the flying Barcelona winger cut back with his right foot just after the first-half water break, forcing Raul Rangel into a save from an acute angle.
But midway through the half-interval, just when it looked like Mexico might start the game, England scored.
And as he himself says, who else but Bellingham could bring about a seismic shift?
Harry Kane added to Bellingham’s brace (Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA)
The England talisman ghosted into the penalty area and headed Bukayo Saka’s superb cross at the far post for the first of a devastating one-two.
And with Mexico still reeling from scoring their first goal in the tournament, Bellingham grabbed their second just 60 seconds after England turned the ball over in the middle of the visitors’ half, finishing off Harry Kane’s low ball that spilled into the front of the six-yard box.
However, Mexico rose from the canvas and almost immediately counterattacked by their own star man as Julian Quinones smashed it into the goal after the ball had fallen down the path after a free kick.
This brought a hostile crowd back into the match, and suddenly England, who had appeared unaffected by the pre-match weather delays, had to weather a new storm as Mexico came knocking on the door for an equalizer.
Jarel Quansah sent off for clumsiness on Jesus Gallardo
Pickford saved his team again with a fine flying stop to deny Raul Jimenez, but just before half-time Bellingham darted into his own penalty area to deny a certain goal.
The drama didn’t stop there, as Quansah was sent off for a high tackle in the 54th minute following VAR intervention.
It was then a tale of two penalties, with Kane putting England 3-1 ahead thanks to an impressive performance from Gordon.
Any hopes that laid the groundwork for a calm final were quickly dashed by Jimenez. Jiménez converted his own spot-kick to put Mexico back in the game.
But England heroically saw to it that they would advance at the expense of their co-hosts.
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