[2026 World Cup] 'Bellingham Scores Twice' as England Defeats Mexico... Kane vs Haaland Quarterfinal Showdown

Quansah Sent Off in Second Half... England Prevails 3-2 Despite Being Down to Ten Men
Kane Scores His Sixth Goal... Trails Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland by One

England has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup after defeating co-host Mexico in a thrilling, end-to-end match.

On July 6 (Korean time), England beat Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 at Mexico City Stadium during the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. England was reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Jarell Quansah was sent off with a red card, but the team overcame the disadvantage through clinical finishing and tenacious defending. As a result, England has reached the quarterfinals for the third consecutive time, starting from the 2018 Russia World Cup where they finished in fourth place.

England was outshot 6 to 20 by Mexico. However, both teams were tied with five shots on target each.

With England's victory, a highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown is set between England captain Harry Kane and "phenomenal striker" Erling Haaland. The two teams will meet for their quarterfinal match on July 12 at 6 a.m. at Miami Stadium in the United States.

Earlier, Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 in the round of 16, powered by two goals from Haaland. Haaland now has seven goals in the tournament, putting him in a tie for the top scorer spot alongside Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappe (France). Kane, who added a penalty goal against Mexico, has six goals and is close behind the leaders.

Jude Bellingham (right) is celebrating with Harry Kane after scoring the first goal. Photo by AP

England and Mexico clashed fiercely from the outset. In the 15th minute, Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado delivered a cross into the box, which Raul Jimenez met with a sharp diving header. The ball bounced toward the bottom right corner of England's goal, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a diving save to keep it out.

Despite being under pressure from Mexico, England broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a counterattack. Declan Rice received a goal kick and quickly drove the ball into Mexico’s half, passing to Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Saka advanced to the byline and sent in a cross; while Mexican defenders were marking Kane, Jude Bellingham surged forward and headed the ball into the net.

Bellingham scored again just two minutes later. As soon as Mexico restarted from the center circle, England’s Elliot Anderson won the ball with aggressive pressing. Bellingham collected the ball in the center and passed it to Kane on the right side of the box. Kane returned the ball to Bellingham, who finished with a simple right-footed shot.

Mexico responded immediately. In the 41st minute, Julian Quinones scored to pull one back. After a free kick was sent into the box and deflected off an England defender, Quinones finished with a first-time shot from the center of the box.

Mexico squandered two crucial chances to equalize in first-half stoppage time. Alvarado sent another cross into the box, which Jimenez met with another dangerous header. The ball was heading for the top left corner, but Pickford leaped to save it. On the ensuing corner, Jimenez headed the ball down in front of goal, and Cesar Montes controlled it with his chest, but as he attempted to shoot with his right foot, Bellingham lunged in to clear the danger.

The first half ended with England leading 2-1 after surviving a tense equalizer scare.

Early in the second half, in the 49th minute, England’s Nico O’Reilly struck a powerful shot from outside the box that hit the post and bounced out. In the 54th minute, Quansah was sent off with a red card for a tackle, putting England in a critical situation.

Harry Kane is roaring after scoring the team's third goal from a penalty kick. Photo by AP Yonhap News

However, England soon earned a penalty kick and regained their composure. Pickford launched a long goal kick toward the edge of Mexico’s penalty area, and as Kane and Mexico’s Edson Alvarez battled for the ball, it was deflected backward. Anthony Gordon quickly latched onto the loose ball and drove into the box, where he collided with Mexican goalkeeper Raul Langel. The referee awarded a penalty, which Kane converted to give England a two-goal lead.

Mexico responded with a penalty of their own. In the box, Kane and Bryan Gutierrez collided, and the referee called a foul on Kane. Jimenez scored from the spot, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.

Down to ten men, England manager Thomas Tuchel reinforced the defense by bringing on Dan Burn and Djed Spence in the 75th minute. England withstood relentless Mexican attacks through 11 minutes of added time, ultimately preserving their one-goal advantage until the final whistle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.