England reached the World Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca on 5 July, overcoming a second-half red card to set up a meeting with Norway on 11 July.
Thomas Tuchel's side appeared to be in complete control after Jude Bellingham scored twice in just 98 seconds, giving England a two-goal lead in one of their strongest performances of the tournament.
However, the hosts responded before the break as Julián Quiñones pulled one back, reigniting the atmosphere inside the famous Mexico City stadium.
The match swung again shortly after half-time when England defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for an open-soled challenge, leaving the Three Lions to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Despite the setback, England restored their two-goal cushion after Anthony Gordon won a penalty, which Harry Kane calmly converted.
Mexico refused to give up and were awarded a penalty of their own moments later after Kane was penalised for a foul inside the area. Raúl Jiménez converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-2, setting up a tense finale.
England came under sustained pressure during the closing stages but defended resolutely through 12 minutes of added time to secure their place in the last eight.
The victory made England only the third team to defeat Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca and eliminated another World Cup co-host, leaving the U.S. as the only remaining host nation in the tournament.
England will now face Norway, who defeated Brazil earlier in the day, in the quarter-finals on 11 July in Miami.
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his players' determination after the final whistle.
"Pure mentality and heart," Tuchel said after watching his side survive Mexico's second-half pressure.
However, the victory was overshadowed by an injury to midfielder Jordan Henderson. The 36-year-old injured his wrist while celebrating with England supporters after the match, jumping over an advertising hoarding before falling awkwardly.
"I have mixed feelings because I am exhausted and emotional and sad because Jordan got injured his wrist. He is at the moment in the hospital. It is quite a serious injury," he said.
The Football Association later confirmed Henderson would remain in Mexico City with a member of England's medical staff rather than travelling back to Kansas City with the squad.
The defeat marked the end of Javier Aguirre's third spell as Mexico manager.
Aguirre, who had already announced he would leave after the World Cup, backed former Mexico captain Rafa Márquez to take the national team forward following their deepest run at a World Cup in 40 years.
The dramatic contest also drew attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social shortly after the final whistle:
"Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!"
England's dramatic victory also impressed supporters, with one fan, Nick John, saying: "It feels different this time. England of old would have lost that game. England can go all the way. It was worth staying up late to watch it."
Another supporter, Lauren Heaven, described the match as "one of the most exciting games" of the tournament after watching it live at 2am UK time.
"It was one of the best games of the tournament so far. Bellingham was brilliant with two goals in two minutes. The end was very stressful with Mexico pushing hard, but England defended well," England supporter Lauren Heaven said.
She added: "I thought there was a good chance we'd go out because Mexico had home advantage, but I was very happy to see England pull through."
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new S...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence says its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others in Nuristan after armed groups, including alleged...
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical ...
Iran has called for a diplomatic solution after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected its Hormuz proposal, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a definitive U.S. response through mediators.
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
British police have arrested five men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act after a major security incident was declared near RAF Fairford, a British air base used by U.S. air forces in Gloucestershire, England.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday despite an unexpected engine shutdown, deploying 26 new Starlink satellites before ending its shortened test flight with a controlled touchdown in the Pacific.
EU defence ministers have stepped up talks on military readiness and long-term support for Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe to close critical defence gaps and strengthen its ability to respond to security threats.
China and the U.S. have unveiled a broader package of economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, covering tariffs, agriculture, coal, finance, aviation and artificial intelligence.
The European Union is considering targeted accession roadmaps for Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania, offering clearer reform priorities and timelines as Brussels looks to speed up enlargement.
A decade ago, a far-right party winning a major Western European election would have caused a political shock. Today, such results are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s political landscape.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment