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James Olley
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James Olley
Senior Writer, ESPN FC
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Tom Hamilton
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Tom Hamilton
Senior Writer
- • Joined ESPN in 2011
• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018
Multiple Authors
In Mexico City, Harry Kane’s 60th‑minute penalty and a brace from Jude Bellingham gave ten‑man England a memorable 3‑2 victory over Mexico at the pulsating Azteca Stadium on Sunday night, securing a World Cup quarterfinal meeting with Norway.
A crowd of 80,824 fans endured an hour‑long delay caused by lightning storms over Mexico City, but once the match got underway, the passionate Mexican supporters generated a deafening atmosphere for one of the nation’s most significant fixtures. The contest that unfolded was a true World Cup classic.
Raúl Jiménez tested Jordan Pickford with an early shot that the England goalkeeper saved to his left, yet Mexico failed to replicate the explosive start that had seen them dismantle Ecuador in the previous round.
Instead, England struck twice within 98 seconds midway through the first half. A fluid move in the 36th minute saw Declan Rice advance, feed Bukayo Saka on the right flank, and Saka’s cross met Jude Bellingham, who headed it in from close range at the far post.
In an instant, England led 2‑0.
Elliot Anderson won possession high up, fed Anthony Gordon, who slipped it to Bellingham; Bellingham then found Kane, whose cross set up Bellingham’s finish, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Mexico came alive and halved the deficit when Julián Quiñones hammered a shot past Pickford, who then made a fine save from Jiménez as the visitors pressed for an equalizer.
The second half retained its frantic tempo. Jarell Quansah was shown a red card after VAR review for a high challenge on Jesús Gallardo in the 54th minute, but six minutes later England restored their two‑goal advantage when Kane converted a penalty after Raúl Rangel fouled Anthony Gordon in the area.
Kane then became the first player since 1966 to both score and concede a penalty in a single World Cup match after fouling substitute Brian Gutiérrez. Jiménez netted the resulting spot‑kick in the 69th minute, setting up a tense finale that featured 11 minutes of added time, but England held on to set up a Saturday quarterfinal clash with Norway in Miami. *— James Olley*
England claim biggest win on foreign soil
While Mexico’s outright footballing quality can be debated, the combination of altitude, kickoff timing, weather and off‑field disturbances meant that England’s victory ranks among their finest tournament triumphs away from Wembley. It marked only Mexico’s third home loss in 90 matches, and England achieved it while playing with ten men for 36 minutes.
England lifted the World Cup in 1966 and reached the Euro 2020 final, both on home soil. Notable away victories include triumphs over Argentina in Japan (2002), a 4‑2 win against Croatia (2004) and a 2‑1 victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal, yet none of those encounters matched the hostility of Sunday’s atmosphere.
A red card has occasionally undone England in tournament play — think David Beckham in 1998 or Wayne Rooney in 2006 — but after Quansah’s dismissal, England managed the contest admirably. Thomas Tuchel’s adjustments kept the side compact, including the bold decision to withdraw Kane in the 90th minute. *— Olley*
Fans fuel Mexico, but it’s not enough
Mexico conceded its first tournament goal, yielding to Bellingham’s brilliance. The Tricolor had kept clean sheets through the group stage and round of 32, and historically they tend to collapse after letting in the first goal.
That proved true early on. After a lively beginning, Mexico failed to recover from the opening goal, and Bellingham added a second just 98 seconds later.
Once the initial shock subsided, the Azteca crowd lifted Mexico back into the contest. Deafening ‘If possible’ (‘Yes you can’) chants echoed around the stadium, spurring the players to keep fighting.
Mexico’s resilience eventually produced Quiñones’ goal, and the crowd erupted into chaos, revelling in the winger’s strike by hurling beer into the air and jumping so vigorously that the press tribune shook.
The two penalties did little to quieten the fans, who relentlessly chanted for a Mexican equalizer. Tactically, The Tri fell short against England, yet the supporters provided enough impetus to resemble a genuine 12th man. *— Lizzy Becherano*
England’s defensive issues persist
The final thirty minutes produced one of England’s great defensive stands, yet the right‑back curse persisted. Prior to Quansah’s dismissal, England displayed familiar defensive frailties.
In the first half they twice lost track of Jiménez, with the veteran striker forcing two outstanding saves from Pickford, while the pairing of Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa appeared shaky at moments. Only a superb intervention from Bellingham stopped Mexico from snatching an equalizer just before halftime.
But back to right back. It has been a persistent problem for England since Reece James picked up an injury after the Ghana draw, and Tuchel finds no relief. Quansah’s red card was harsh, but sympathy lies with him for making initial contact with the ball before his momentum carried onto Gallardo’s leg.
From that point, gritty defending saw England through. John Stones stabilized the back line, and by the final ten minutes England operated a flat back five, with Djed Spence at left back and Dan Burn completing a trio of centre‑backs. Pickford’s judgment on Mexican crosses was impeccable, and Burn’s presence alongside Stones’ experience guided the side to safety. In short, the last twenty minutes exemplified sheer determination.
The pressing question is how England will address the right‑back spot for the Norway clash. With James sidelined, Quansah started against Panama before picking up an injury, leaving Spence to finish that match. Against Congo DR, Spence began and Rice finished as an improvised right back after Spence’s withdrawal. Quansah will be suspended for the Norway game, so England must either rush James back to fitness or rely on Spence or Konsa at right back — none of which are ideal. *— Tom Hamilton*
Bellingham channels his inner Maradona at the Azteca
Tuchel referenced karma favouring England after Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal for Argentina forty years earlier. It was therefore especially poignant that Bellingham achieved a feat no player had matched since Maradona in the 1986 tournament: scoring twice at the Azteca.
Maradona’s brace arrived in a semifinal victory over Belgium en route to lifting the trophy, but only time will reveal the true weight of Bellingham’s double at this tournament. He becomes the second Englishman to achieve the feat, following Gary Lineker, who scored twice in the round of 16 against Paraguay a week before Maradona’s heroics.
Both of Bellingham’s goals stemmed from precisely timed runs into the box, highlighting how Tuchel’s system has allowed the midfielder to flourish in the final third. The 23‑year‑old has now found the net in three of England’s five World Cup matches, and his growing partnership with Kane was evident again as the captain supplied the assist for Bellingham’s second goal.
After Bellingham emulated Kane’s celebration from the Panama match, the captain joined him with his signature outstretched arms — a gesture that is fast becoming a beloved England tradition. *— Olley*
1:50
Chaos erupted in London at 2:30 a.m. as England struck twice within 98 seconds.
Jiménez shines against his second home
There was considerable discussion about Jiménez ahead of the match, given that he has spent the bulk of his career in England and was expected to be a focal point.
He said before the match, “It’s a special game because I’ve spent more than half of my career in England. I know them, but none of them are like my friends. I’ve swapped jerseys, but that’s all.”
Jiménez has scored six goals against Pickford during his Premier League career — more than any other opponent’s goalkeeper. He had two first‑half opportunities that compelled the Everton No. 1 to make match‑changing saves; without those stops, the night could have unfolded very differently for England.
The 35‑year‑old, who has spent the last eight years playing in England, eventually added another past Pickford from the penalty spot. Jiménez finished with seven shots, three on target, keeping Pickford alert throughout — just as he does in the Premier League. *— Becherano*
England find wing production in Gordon
Gordon faced criticism after the Ghana match, where he struggled to make an impact. However, his valuable contribution off the bench against Congo DR — assisting both Kane goals — earned him a starting role in this encounter.
He was outstanding for England, illustrating why Barcelona moved to sign him swiftly before a World Cup ball was even kicked. When England required a release valve in the first half, Gordon ran at the Mexican defence, creating early problems. He played a key part in the second goal, as his pass set up Bellingham’s one‑two with Kane to make it 2‑0, and he also drew the penalty that led to England’s third.
On the opposite flank, Saka had a quieter outing, but his crucial contribution was to find the space and deliver the cross that found Bellingham’s head for the opener. Although wingers have been a problem area for England at this World Cup, Tuchel’s selection proved sound. *— Hamilton*
