England survive Mexico onslaught with 10 men to reach World Cup quarterfinals
A Jude Bellingham double and a Harry Kane penalty saw England overcome a red card and a hostile Azteca to eliminate co-hosts Mexico 3-2, setting up a quarterfinal with Norway.
England are through to the World Cup quarterfinals after a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, where they played the final 36 minutes with ten men. The result eliminates co-hosts Mexico and sets up a last-eight meeting with Norway in Miami on 11 July.
Altitude concerns and a cagey start
Head coach Thomas Tuchel had flagged the 2,240 m altitude as a concern, telling BBC Sport:
Declan Rice was booked inside the first minute for a high challenge on Luis Romo, but England settled. Anthony Gordon forced a save from Raúl Rangel, and at the other end Jordan Pickford tipped a Raúl Jiménez header wide.The first night we didn't sleep well, the second night was easier.
Bellingham's two-minute demolition
England struck twice in 120 seconds. First Declan Rice surged through midfield and fed Bukayo Saka, whose cross was headed home by Jude Bellingham (36th minute). Then Bellingham combined with Harry Kane and fired in from just outside the box (38th). It was the first time Mexico had conceded a goal at this tournament. Yet Julián Quiñones halved the deficit before the break, smashing in after a poor clearance (42nd). Mexico almost levelled late in the half, Jiménez going close twice and Pickford saving brilliantly from a header.
Quansah red and penalty drama
Ten minutes after the restart Jarell Quansah was sent off. A sliding tackle ended with his foot high on Jesús Gallardo; the referee upgraded the card to red after a VAR review. Tuchel sacrificed Saka and threw on John Stones (54th). Still, England found a third goal when Gordon was fouled by goalkeeper Rangel and Kane converted his sixth goal of the tournament from the spot (60th). A handball by Kane at the other end gave Mexico a penalty, and Jiménez made no mistake (69th).
- Declan Rice receives a yellow card for a high foot on Luis Romo.
- Jude Bellingham heads England in front from Bukayo Saka's cross.
- Bellingham scores his second, combining with Harry Kane and finishing from the edge of the box.
- Julián Quiñones pulls one back for Mexico after a defensive clearance falls to him.
- Mexico push for an equaliser, Jiménez forces a superb Pickford save, but England lead 2-1.
- Jarell Quansah is sent off (straight red) for a high challenge on Jesús Gallardo.
- Anthony Gordon is fouled by keeper Raúl Rangel; Harry Kane converts the penalty, 1-3.
- Kane concedes a penalty for a foul on Brian Gutiérrez; Raúl Jiménez scores, 2-3.
- After 11 minutes of added time, England survive a Mexican barrage to reach the quarterfinals.
Late siege and Pickford heroics
With eleven added minutes Mexico bombarded the England box with a series of corners. Pickford stood firm, and England held on to inflict Mexico's first official defeat at the Azteca since September 2013 (only their second in 89 internationals at the stadium).
Quarterfinal with Norway awaits
England will face Norway in Miami next Saturday, after Erling Haaland's side beat Brazil 2-1 earlier in the day. Kane now tops the scoring charts with six goals, while Bellingham has four.
