England wrote their names FIFA World Cup On Sunday night, they became the first team to defeat Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup match when they survived a second defeat and secured a thrilling 3-2 Round of 16 victory.The landmark victory ended Mexico’s unbeaten World Cup record at the stadium, where El Tri went on a 10-game unbeaten run, including three wins at the 2026 tournament. It also sent England to their 11th FIFA World Cup quarter-final, with Brazil (15) and Germany (14) reaching the last eight.The match added another chapter in the history of the famous venue, becoming the 24th FIFA World Cup match played at the Estadio Azteca, more than any other stadium in the competition’s history.
Bellingham double stops Azteca
In front of over 80,000 home fans, Jude Bellingham produced the best performance of his international career, scoring twice in just 98 seconds to astound the fans.The midfielder opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a powerful header before extending England’s advantage two minutes later after combining well with the captain. Harry Kane.Mexico responded just before the break when Julián Quiñones pulled one back in the 42nd minute, ensuring that the contest would remain at this point.The drama escalated immediately after the restart when England defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo. The dismissal made Quansah the fourth England player to be sent off at the FIFA World Cup and the first since Wayne Rooney in 2006With England reduced to 10 men, head coach Thomas Tuchel responded by handing Bukayo Saka to defender John Stones to bolster the backline.
Kane delivers as England endures a late siege
Despite their poor numbers, England grabbed a third goal when Harry Kane converted from the spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel.The goal was Kane’s sixth in competitions and 14th at the FIFA World Cup, moving him level with German legend Gerd Müller for fifth on the tournament’s all-time goalscoring list. It also kept him away from the leaders of the Golden Boot Lionel MessiKylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who each have seven goals.Kane later scored a penalty, becoming the first player since 1966 to score both goals and take the ball in the same World Cup match. Raúl Jiménez converted to reduce the deficit to 3-2, setting up a quick finish.Mexico raced forward steadily in the final 21 minutes and 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England’s solid defense held firm to keep out the lead.The victory earned England a place in the quarter-finals of the third consecutive World Cup, where they will face Norway and star player Erling Haaland in the Miami Gardens for a place in the last four.For Mexico, the defeat deepened the pain. El Tri have now failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 in any World Cup since their home tournament in 1986.
