England beat co-host Mexico 3-2 to reach quarterfinals

England advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, beating co-host Mexico 3-2 despite finishing the match with 10 men as they chase their first title in 60 years.

England, managed by Thomas Tuchel of Germany, defeated Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 at Estadio Ciudad de México in Mexico City, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice and Harry Kane converting a decisive penalty to hold off Mexico's comeback.

England were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off with the score at 2-1, yet they held on to secure a third consecutive quarterfinal appearance. England won the World Cup for the first and only time on home soil in 1966 and are chasing their first title since then.

England will face Norway — who beat title contender Brazil 2-1 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in history — at a stadium in Miami on July 12 at 6 a.m. Korean Standard Time for a place in the semifinals.

The match kicked off an hour later than scheduled due to bad weather. England broke the deadlock in the 36th minute: goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played the ball to Declan Rice, who drove down the right flank and found Bukayo Saka. Saka's cross from the right side of the penalty area was met by Bellingham, who headed home with a diving header in front of goal.

It was Mexico's first goal conceded at the tournament. Bellingham struck again just two minutes later as a stunned Mexico had barely recovered. England won the ball in the opposition half and broke forward; Gordon played the ball to Bellingham, who received a low pass from Kane on the right side of the penalty area, charged into the box and finished with his right foot.

Mexico pulled one back quickly. In the 42nd minute, a free kick deflected off the England defense and fell to Julián Quiñones, who hammered a first-time right-footed volley into the net from the center of the penalty area.

Mexico pressed for an equalizer before halftime — Jiménez's header was kept out by the goalkeeper, and Bellingham cleared a clear shooting chance for César Montes off the line — and went into the break trailing 2-1.

England's situation worsened in the 54th minute when right back Quansah was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Jesús Gallardo. Down to 10 men, England responded in the 57th minute by withdrawing forward Saka and bringing on defender John Stones to shore up their shape.

England extended their lead in the 60th minute through Kane's penalty. Gordon attempted to latch onto Kane's headed pass when the onrushing goalkeeper collided with him, earning the spot kick. Kane stepped up and drove the ball hard into the net with his right foot — his sixth goal of the tournament.

Mexico halved the deficit in the 69th minute when Jiménez converted a penalty with his right foot after Kane fouled him. Mexico then threw on attacking substitutes and pushed for an equalizer, but England dug in — withdrawing even Kane in the 90th minute and bringing on midfielder Morgan Rogers — and held out through 11 minutes of added time to seal the win.