England produced one of the most dramatic World Cup wins in a generation on Sunday night, beating Mexico 3-2 at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Jude Bellingham scored twice, Harry Kane added a crucial penalty, and England held on with ten men after Jarrad Branthwaite's red card to secure a victory that will be talked about for decades.
Bellingham Takes Centre Stage
There were doubts heading into this match. England had been unconvincing in the group stage and questions about their defensive organisation had not gone away. What nobody doubted, even in their worst moments, was Jude Bellingham's ability to produce something extraordinary when the situation demanded it.
He opened the scoring with a trademark run into the box and a finish that gave the goalkeeper no chance, then equalised at 2-2 with a goal that silenced the Azteca and briefly knocked all the air out of the Mexican support. His performance over the full ninety minutes was as complete a display as any England player has produced at a World Cup since Rooney in 2004. Bellingham covered every blade of grass, won tackles, drove forward, and dominated a midfield that Mexico simply could not handle.
Ten Men, Three Points
England's night became significantly more complicated when Branthwaite received a red card midway through the second half, with the scores at 2-2. Thomas Tuchel reorganised quickly, dropping into a back four that asked enormous defensive discipline from every outfield player. Mexico sensed blood and came in waves, but England's defensive resilience — described by Tuchel afterwards as "heroic" — held firm.
Kane's penalty had put England 3-2 ahead just before the red card and that advantage turned out to be the difference. The Germany-born England manager, who has been criticised at various points for his squad selections and tactical decisions, was unable to hide his fury at the officiating after the final whistle. "We are not good enough from the officials," he said. "But my players were incredible."
Norway Await in the Quarter-Finals
England's reward is a quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday July 11, which means a date with Erling Haaland — the tournament's top scorer with seven goals in five games. Haaland has already beaten Brazil almost singlehandedly and arrives in Miami as the most dangerous forward left in the competition. England will need a plan, and they will need Bellingham to produce another performance of this magnitude.
After the Azteca, that feels possible. This group of players showed something tonight that goes beyond tactics and formation — they showed they believe in each other when it matters most.
Match result: Mexico 2–3 England | Bellingham (2), Kane (pen) | Venue: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City | 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 | Quarter-final: England vs Norway, July 11, Miami
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