Bellingham Scores Twice as England Overcomes Red Card to Beat Mexico and Reach Quarterfinals

England, the birthplace of football, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, defeating co-host Mexico despite playing with ten men, keeping their hopes alive for a first world title in 60 years.

The England national football team, led by manager Thomas Tuchel (Germany), defeated Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America, held at Mexico City Stadium today (July 6). The victory was secured by two goals from Jude Bellingham and a decisive penalty kick from Harry Kane.

Despite being reduced to ten men following the dismissal of defender Jarell Quansah in the 54th minute while leading 2-1, England held onto their lead to reach the quarterfinals for the third consecutive tournament.

England, which won its first and only World Cup title on home soil in 1966, is aiming to reclaim the trophy for the first time in 60 years.

England will now face Norway, which reached the quarterfinals for the first time after defeating tournament favorite Brazil 2-1, at Miami Stadium in the United States on July 12 at 6:00 a.m. to compete for a spot in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Mexico, whose best-ever finish was reaching the quarterfinals in the 1970 and 1986 tournaments held on home soil, saw their campaign end with this match.

Coincidentally, this match was the final game of the tournament to be held in Mexico.

Mexico City Stadium, originally known as Estadio Azteca, is a symbolic venue often referred to as the holy ground of Mexican football.

Since its opening in 1966, the Mexican national team had recorded 70 wins, 17 draws, and 2 losses in 89 official matches played at this stadium.

Their last defeat there was a 1-2 loss to Honduras in the final round of the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers held in 2013.

Mexico had also been undefeated in 10 World Cup finals matches at this stadium with 8 wins and 2 draws, but that streak was broken by the loss to England.

Furthermore, Mexico City is located at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,349 feet). England overcame these challenging conditions, having arrived in Mexico City just two days before the match, to secure a valuable victory.

The match, which kicked off one hour later than scheduled due to severe weather, began with both teams playing cautiously.

In the 15th minute, a scoring opportunity for Mexico was denied by a save from the goalkeeper.

Raul Jimenez connected with a cross from Roberto Alvarado on the right flank with a diving header, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford managed to parry the ball away.

Shortly after the hydration break in the 26th minute, Pickford launched a long ball that Anthony Gordon chased down with his speed. Gordon attempted a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it was caught by goalkeeper Raul Rangel.

Mexico then increased their possession, and in the 32nd minute, Luis Romo attempted a right-footed mid-range shot from just outside the penalty arc, but it sailed wide of the goal.

Just as the Mexican players were gaining confidence and controlling the game, the momentum shifted dramatically due to an English counterattack.

In the 36th minute, Declan Rice received the ball from Pickford, dribbled down the right flank, and passed to Bukayo Saka. Saka sent a cross from the right side of the penalty area, which Bellingham turned into the net with a diving header to score the opening goal.

It was Mexico's first goal conceded in the tournament.

Bellingham opened the Mexican goal again just two minutes later, catching the stunned hosts off guard.

England intercepted the ball in the opponent's half and launched a counterattack. The ball moved from Gordon to Bellingham, and Kane delivered a low pass from the right side of the penalty area, which Bellingham finished with his right foot as he rushed into the box.


Mexico began their pursuit early.

In the 42nd minute, following a free-kick, the ball deflected off an English defender, and Julian Quinones struck a right-footed, one-touch volley from the center of the penalty area into the net.

In stoppage time of the first half, Mexico saw a header from Jimenez saved by the goalkeeper, and a decisive shooting opportunity for Cesar Montes was cleared by Bellingham, leaving England with a 2-1 lead at halftime.

England missed a chance to extend their lead in the 49th minute when a left-footed mid-range shot from Nico O'Reilly hit the goalpost.

England faced a crisis in the 54th minute when right-back Quansah was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jesus Gallardo.

Reduced to ten men, England reorganized their formation in the 57th minute by substituting out attacker Saka for defender John Stones.


Under pressure, England extended their lead again in the 60th minute with a penalty kick goal from Kane.

As Gordon attempted to receive a header pass from Kane, he collided with the rushing goalkeeper, earning a penalty. Kane stepped up and fired a powerful right-footed shot into the Mexican goal.

This was Kane's 6th goal of the tournament.

Mexico pulled one back in the 69th minute when Jimenez converted a penalty kick, awarded following a foul by Kane, with a right-footed strike.

Afterward, Mexico pushed for an equalizer with aggressive substitutions.

Conversely, England locked down their defense, including substituting out Kane for midfielder Morgan Rogers in the 90th minute, to withstand Mexico's offensive.

Despite 11 minutes of stoppage time, England successfully defended against Mexico's relentless attacks to secure their path to the quarterfinals.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.