England produced a gutsy display to defeat Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash, knocking the tournament co-hosts out and booking their place in the quarter-finals.
The Three Lions turned the game around in spectacular fashion through Jude Bellingham, who struck twice in just 98–99 seconds during the first half. His quickfire brace stunned the home crowd at the iconic Estadio Azteca and gave England complete control after Mexico had started brightly.
Mexico pulled one back before the break through Julián Quiñones to keep the contest alive, and the match took another dramatic twist early in the second half when England defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, forcing Thomas Tuchel’s side to play with ten men.
Despite being a man down, England captain Harry Kane showed his composure by converting a penalty to restore a two-goal advantage. Raúl Jiménez replied from the penalty spot for Mexico, setting up a tense finale as the hosts piled on relentless pressure in search of an equaliser.
England, however, defended heroically, with Jordan Pickford making several crucial saves to preserve the 3-2 victory. The win sends the Three Lions into the quarter-finals, where they will face Norway, while Mexico’s World Cup dream comes to a heartbreaking end on home soil.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
