Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds and Harry Kane added a penalty as England beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a breathless last-16 match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday, advancing to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals despite playing the final 48 minutes with 10 men. The result ended Mexico's remarkable home record at the iconic stadium, handing them only their third defeat in 90 competitive matches at the Azteca since it opened in 1966.

England's opening was built on composure in the face of fierce pressure. After Jordan Pickford made a crucial early save to deny Raul Jimenez a diving header, Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a powerful header from Bukayo Saka's cross, then doubled the lead just two minutes later, converting a Kane pass with a right-footed finish. Mexico hit back before half-time when Julian Quinones reacted sharply to a loose ball from a free kick to volley in off the England defensive line. Early in the second half, defender Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a high-footed challenge on Jesus Gallardo — only the fourth England player sent off at a World Cup. Six minutes later, with Mexico pressing, Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane emphatically converted the penalty for his sixth goal of the tournament. Mexico responded when Kane himself conceded a penalty with a high kick in his own box, and Jimenez slotted home to make it 3-2 with just over 20 minutes remaining, setting up a frantic finale with 11 minutes of added time.

England, who had arrived in the high-altitude Mexican capital — the Azteca sits at approximately 2,240 metres above sea level — just days before the match, dug deep to protect their narrow lead. Despite Mexico finishing with a 21-6 advantage in total shots, Thomas Tuchel's side held firm. "It was a crazy game," Kane said after the final whistle. "We had to fight. We had to find something. The occasion, the team, everything against us. We found a way." Tuchel praised the team's resilience, saying: "When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief."

The match carried significant historical weight. England's last appearance at the Azteca was in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, when Argentina's Diego Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal — punching the ball into the net undetected by the referee — before adding a second with a mesmerising solo run through the England defence. That defeat has loomed large in English football memory for 40 years. For Mexico, Sunday's loss also stings historically: they had not reached a World Cup quarterfinal since that same 1986 tournament held on home soil. Coach Javier Aguirre acknowledged his team's effort while accepting the result. "You can't make mistakes because they punish you," he said. "My players can be at peace because they did everything they could against a great team."

England will now face Norway in the quarterfinals in Miami on 11 July. Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 earlier on Sunday, with Erling Haaland scoring twice. Kane, with six goals, trails Haaland by one in the race for the Golden Boot. England's place in a third consecutive World Cup quarterfinal keeps alive the nation's quest to end 60 years without a major international title.