England holds on against Mexico to advance to quarterfinals

England and Mexico gave the world an instant classic with their 5-goal thriller on Sunday night, seeing England advance to the quarterfinals after a 3-2 victory.

Mexico would dominate much of the first half, taking full advantage to their acclimatization to the increased elevation of Estadio Azteca.

Raúl Jiménez’s second strike of the match would force a fantastic save from English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

But although Mexico looked to be the better team, England would draw first blood.

Doing so was England’s Jude Bellingham, putting the Three Lions ahead 1-0.

And before the celebrations from Bellingham’s first could come to an end, he’d do it again.

England would collect the ball off the kickoff, turning it into an immediate counterattack.

Bellingham would cross the ball wide to Harry Kane, where Kane would send the cross right back to Bellingham.

He’d bury the chance, securing a brace in just 98 seconds and putting England up 2-0.

But Mexico, with their backs against the wall, pushed by the Mexican faithful in the stands, would not back down.

In the 42nd minute, Julián Quiñones would rejuvenate the crowd with a goal to pull Mexico right back.

Following Quinones’ goal, Mexico would turn the offense up to 11.

And that pressure would stay ever present as Jiménez looked to equalize just seconds into stoppage-time.

And he wouldn’t stop there, testing Picford once again, this time in the 45+3rd minute, forcing another great save from the English goalkeeper.

But it wasn’t just Picford who would keep the ball out of the net.

In the 45+4th minute Bellingham would make a clearance worthy of a goal, keeping England ahead.

England would hold off the Mexican blitz late in the half to take their 2-1 advantage to the locker rooms.

Coming out of the half, Nico O’Reilly looked to put England back up by two, but his shot would kiss the post.

Even more drama would ensue just minutes later following a Jarell Quansah tackle on Jesús Gallardo.

Quansah would leave his studs up, making full contact with the leg of Gallardo.

Referee Alireza Faghani would take a look with a VAR review and following a brief check, would send Quansah off with a red.

And the drama would just continue to pour out of this match.

In the 58th minute, a challenge by Mexican goalkeeper Raúl Rangel would see England awarded with a penalty kick.

Kane would step up to the spot and in Harry Kane fashion, put the English up 3-1.

But, of course, this match would have even more to deliver.

In the 66th minute, Kane would be called for a foul inside the box, awarding Mexico a penalty kick of their own.

Jiménez would be given the chance to put Mexico back within one.

Getting Pickford to initially guess incorrectly, Jiménez would slot his shot into the back of the net.

Even with England playing a man down, Mexico just could not find and equalizer.

England would hold on to the rollercoaster of a match to win 3-2 and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

They will take on Norway at 5 p.m. on Saturday for a chance to reach their first semifinal since 2018.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official

About the Author Published Jul 5, 2026

ADRIAN MURILLO SILVA

Adrian Murillo Silva covers both MLB and soccer news for Ball Exclusives. He has previously worked with other news publications such as The Lantern, the independent student voice of Ohio State.