England produced one of the most resilient performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating tournament hosts Mexico 3-2 in a breathtaking last-16 clash at a sold-out Estadio Azteca. Playing more than 35 minutes with 10 men, Thomas Tuchel's side ended the hosts' perfect run and booked a place in the quarter-finals after a contest packed with drama, a red card and two penalties.

The match was delayed by an hour because of severe weather, but the action exploded from the opening whistle. Struggling to adapt to the high altitude of Mexico City, England found themselves under relentless pressure early on, with Declan Rice picking up a yellow card inside the opening minute after being caught out by the hosts' aggressive pressing.

Despite spending long spells on the back foot, England remained patient and struck with ruthless efficiency. Against the run of play in the 36th minute, Bukayo Saka delivered an inviting cross and Jude Bellingham powered a diving header beyond the goalkeeper to stun the home supporters.

Before Mexico had time to recover, England struck again. Winning possession in midfield, the visitors launched a rapid counter-attack before Harry Kane slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Bellingham, who calmly finished to make it 2-0.

The second goal secured a place for Jude Bellingham in the history books. He became the first player since Diego Maradona at the 1986 FIFA World Cup to score twice in a World Cup match at Estadio Azteca. On that famous occasion, Maradona's victims were also England.

The hosts refused to let the contest slip away. In the 42nd minute, Julián Quiñones fired home from close range following a set-piece to ignite the crowd, and Mexico squandered three excellent chances to equalise before the interval.

England's task became significantly harder nine minutes into the second half when Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. Thomas Tuchel immediately reshuffled his side, sacrificing Bukayo Saka to introduce John Stones as the visitors switched to a more defensive setup.

Remarkably, it was England who scored next. In the 60th minute, the Mexico goalkeeper brought down Anthony Gordon inside the area, and Harry Kane confidently dispatched the penalty to restore a two-goal advantage.

There was another twist moments later. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot after ruling that Harry Kane had committed a foul while attempting to clear the ball inside his own penalty area. Raúl Jiménez converted from 12 yards to bring Mexico back within one goal.

The closing stages were played almost exclusively in England's half as Mexico threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. The hosts repeatedly targeted the penalty area with crosses, but England's defence stood firm under immense pressure to seal a memorable 3-2 victory.

Thomas Tuchel's side will now head to Miami for a quarter-final showdown with Norway, who produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament earlier in the day by eliminating Brazil.

World Cup 2026

Mexico - England 2:3 (1:2)
Goals: Bellingham, 36 (0:1); Bellingham, 38 (0:2); Quiñones J., 42 (1:2); Kane, 60 (penalty) (1:3); Raul Jimenez, 69 (penalty) (2:3)

Mexico: Rangel; Sanchez J. (Fidalgo, 79); Montes (Alvarez Ed., 46); Vasquez J-n; Lira; Romo (Gimenez S., 61); Mora G. (Gutiérrez, 61); Gallardo; Alvarado; Raul Jimenez; Quiñones J. (Martínez G., 81)
Substitution: Alvarez Ed. (from 46); Gutiérrez (from 61); Gimenez S. (from 61); Fidalgo (from 79); Martínez G. (from 81)
Bench: Acevedo; Ochoa; Reyes; Chavez M.; Chávez L.; Vargas Ob.; Pineda O.; Vega A.; González Ar.; Huerta
Yellow Cards: Sanchez J. 71; Vasquez J-n 98

England: Pickford; Konsa; Guehi; Quansah (till 54); Rice; Saka B. (Stones, 57); Anderson E. (Burn, 75); O'Reilly (Spence D., 75); Bellingham; Kane (Rogers M., 90); Gordon A.
Substitution: Stones (from 57); Burn (from 75); Spence D. (from 75); Rogers M. (from 90)
Bench: Henderson D.; Trafford; Chalobah; James R.; Henderson; Mainoo; Watkins; Eze; Madueke; Rashford; Toney I.
Yellow Cards: Rice 2; Kane 68; O'Reilly 72; Henderson 98
Red cards: Quansah 54'