England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca to reach World Cup quarterfinals as Bellingham strikes twice in 98 seconds

England beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday to reach the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in 98 seconds and Harry Kane adding a second-half penalty in a match that swung repeatedly before a ten-man rearguard held on through 11 minutes of stoppage time.

The result made England the first side to defeat Mexico in a World Cup at the Azteca, and only the third team to win there in 89 competitive matches.

England will now face Norway in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday 11 July for a place in the semifinals, as they continue to seek a second World Cup title and their first since 1966.

Bellingham silences the Azteca

The match kicked off more than an hour late after thunderstorms forced a delay, and the opening half-hour was cagey, with England looking to absorb pressure in the thin air of Mexico City's altitude. Then, in the 36th minute, the game changed.

After an intense but mostly cagey opening half-hour, the game sparked into action when England hit the hosts on the counter, Bukayo Saka looping a cross to the back post where Bellingham headed home to bring the decibel level down. The home fans were quietened further just 98 seconds later when Bellingham doubled England's advantage, laying the ball wide to Harry Kane before getting beyond César Montes to convert Kane's ball back across goal.

Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds in the first half to condemn Mexico to just a third defeat in 90 matches at the Azteca.

Mexico hit back before half-time. Ezri Konsa failed to clear Roberto Alvarado's free kick and Julián Quiñones slammed the ball home on the volley in the 42nd minute to reduce the arrears to 2-1. England needed a terrific save from Jordan Pickford and a goal-saving intervention from Bellingham to remain in front at the break.

Quansah's red card and the penalty exchange

England right back Jarell Quansah was assessed a red card for a high challenge on Jesús Gallardo following a video review in the 54th minute, a moment that appeared to give Mexico a fresh avenue for a comeback.

Yet England struck back almost immediately. Anthony Gordon got on the end of Kane's knock-down and was brought down by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel; Rangel dived the right way from the resulting penalty but could not keep out Kane. It was Kane's sixth goal of the tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the tournament's all-time scoring list, according to ESPN.

Less than ten minutes later, Kane became the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in the same World Cup game after a video review revealed he had fouled Brian Gutiérrez, ESPN reported. Raúl Jiménez converted from 12 yards to make it 3-2, leaving England 20 minutes plus stoppage time to defend their slender advantage in the toughest of environments.

England hold on

Mexico attacked relentlessly over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, but failed to find a way past ten men as goalkeeper Pickford and England's defenders held steady.

England stood tall, defending at times frantically to resist the Mexican wave during 11 minutes of additional time, and have reached a third consecutive FIFA World Cup quarterfinal.

Bellingham, 23, reflected on the significance of the victory. "This is probably one of the biggest England wins in a while, probably the biggest one I can remember as a fan or player," he said. "The best night of my England career."

There was a scare in the post-match celebrations. Midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to hospital after the match because of a wrist injury, manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed; he was hurt when he tumbled over an advertising board during the post-game celebrations. His availability for the quarterfinal has not yet been confirmed.

Mexico have now exited the World Cup at the round-of-16 stage eight times since they reached the quarterfinals in 1986.

Norway meet England in the quarterfinals after eliminating Brazil 2-1, with Erling Haaland scoring twice. The match takes place in Miami Gardens on Saturday 11 July.