England hands Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach quarterfinals
By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ, AP Sports Writer
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, Harry Kane converted a penalty when England was down to 10 men, and the Three Lions handed Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, a wild 3-2 victory on Sunday night to reach the quarterfinals.
England moves on to face Norway on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, for a spot in the semifinals.
Bellingham stunned the crowd of more than 80,000 at a venue where Mexico was unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three this year, when he scored on a header in the 36th minute and again in the 38th on a pass from Kane.
Julián Quiñones scored for El Tri in the 42nd minute, and the game appeared to turn in Mexico’s favor when England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo.
Mexico’s Cesar Montes, left, and England’s Jude Bellingham (10) battle for the ball in front of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan )
England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates with teammate Harry Kane (9) after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez, left, and England’s Marc Guehi challenge for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saves a shot from Mexico’s Raul Jimenez during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
England’s Dan Burn (15) blocks an overhead kick by Mexico’s Raul Jimenez during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mexico players react after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez reacts at the the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexico’s reserve goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) reacts following the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez applauds the fans at the the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez (26) gestures to fans following the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
England’s Harry Kane (9) celebrates with Jude Bellingham (10) after scoring his side’s third goal through penalty kick during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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Mexico’s Cesar Montes, left, and England’s Jude Bellingham (10) battle for the ball in front of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan )
But England was awarded a penalty for a challenge by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and Kane converted for his sixth goal of this tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the scoring list. Kane has six goals in this tournament, one behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Kane then committed a foul that made him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in a World Cup game. Raúl Jiménez converted the kick with a stutter-step approach to move El Tri within 3-2.
Mexico attacked relentlessly over the final 21 minutes, plus 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England’s defenders held steady.
Mexico has not reached the quarterfinals since hosting in 1986. Since then, it has lost in the round of 16 eight times, failed to advance past the group stage in 2022 and was disqualified from the 1990 tournament.
