England edge Mexico 3-2 at Azteca to reach World Cup quarters

England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, ending the co-hosts' World Cup run despite a furious second-half comeback.espn+1
Bellingham scored twice in quick succession to build England's lead before Raul Jimenez's penalty and a red card made for a tense finish, according to ESPN.espn+1
England will face Norway in the quarterfinals after Erling Haaland's two late goals stunned Brazil 2-1 earlier Sunday at MetLife Stadium.aljazeera+1

England held off a fierce Mexico comeback to win 3-2 in their 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday evening, ending co-hosts Mexico's dream of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986.sports.yahoo+1

The match, which kicked off at 6 p.m. local time in Mexico City despite brief weather concerns from thunderstorms, was played at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level — a factor widely discussed in the buildup as a potential equalizer for Mexico against one of the tournament favorites.espn+1

A Fortress Falls

Mexico had built their World Cup campaign on defensive solidity, winning all four of their previous matches without conceding a goal, according to Sports Illustrated. The Azteca itself had been a near-impenetrable fortress, with Mexico losing just twice in the venue across World Cup matches spanning 1970, 1986, and 2026, according to NBC News.si+1

England, however, broke through. Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession to help England build a commanding lead, according to USA Today. Mexico pulled goals back, with Raul Jimenez converting from the penalty spot as the home side mounted a furious second-half rally, per ESPN. England had a player sent off late in the match but held on to advance.usatoday+1

Ghosts of 1986

The fixture carried layers of history. The Azteca was the site of Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in Argentina's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England at the 1986 World Cup — the last time England had played a competitive match at the venue. That memory loomed over the buildup, with former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton among those reflecting on the infamous incident 40 years on.hitc+1

For Mexico, the defeat extended a painful pattern. The "quinto partido" curse — referencing Mexico's inability to advance past their fifth World Cup match — had haunted El Tri at seven of the previous eight tournaments. Though the expanded 48-team format meant reaching the quarterfinals technically required a sixth game, the psychological weight remained the same.foxsports

What's Next

England will face Norway in the quarterfinals after Erling Haaland's two late goals stunned Brazil 2-1 earlier on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. That match is expected to take place on July 9.aljazeera+1

Sources (28)