Jude Bellingham (R) of England vies with Erik Lira of Mexico during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
MEXICO CITY, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Jude Bellingham scored two first-half goals as England reached the World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday with a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico.
Bellingham struck twice in the space of three first-half minutes to put England in control before Julian Quinones pulled a goal back just before the break.
England's task became more difficult when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a reckless challenge early in the second half.
Harry Kane restored England's two-goal cushion from the penalty spot before Raul Jimenez also converted from 12 yards to set up a tense finish.
England weathered a late Mexico onslaught to set up a clash against Norway in Miami on July 11 with a place in the semifinals at stake.
The result ended a run of four wins from as many games for Mexico this tournament and dashed its hopes of a first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1986.
England struggled to establish any rhythm in the opening stages as Mexico pressed aggressively and repeatedly flew into challenges.
Mexico had the first clear chance of the match when Jimenez's bullet header was palmed away by Jordan Pickford after Roberto Alvarado's cross.
England's best opening came when Marc Guehi's long pass picked out Bukayo Saka, but the winger was unable to bring it under control.
Mexico enjoyed more possession without seriously threatening Pickford's goal.
England silenced the partisan crowd in the 36th minute when Saka surged forward on the counterattack and crossed for Bellingham, who headed in at the far post.
Bellingham struck again two minutes later, capitalizing on a midfield turnover to exchange passes with Kane before sliding home from close range.
The goals sparked Mexico into action and Quinones reduced the deficit four minutes later, volleying into the roof of the net after Alvarado's free kick ricocheted into his path.
It was Quinones' fourth goal of the tournament, equaling Luis Hernandez's Mexico record for a single World Cup, set in 1998.
England was lucky not to concede again in the closing minutes of the first half. Jimenez dragged a shot just wide before heading another Alvarado cross toward the top corner, only to be denied by Pickford.
Nico O'Reilly went close to extending England's lead just after the interval with a long-range effort that rebounded off the woodwork.
Any momentum England was building appeared to be punctured when Quansah was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Jesus Gallardo.
The match took another turn moments later as Anthony Gordon was brought down by Raul Rangel inside the box. Kane held his nerve with the resultant spot kick to take his career World Cup tally to 14 goals.
But Mexico responded again through Jimenez, who converted a penalty after Kane was deemed to have fouled Brian Gutierrez while attempting a clearance.
Mexico attacked in waves in the final minutes, but England defended resolutely to secure a place in the next round. ■
Anthony Gordon (C) of England warms up before the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Gilberto Mora (C) of Mexico dribbles the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Bukayo Saka of England warms up before the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Harry Kane of England warms up before the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)
Julian Quinones (L, bottom) of Mexico scores during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Jude Bellingham (C) of England jumps for a header during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Gilberto Mora (C) of Mexico moves the ball forward during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Jude Bellingham (R) of England scores during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Julian Quinones of Mexico controls the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Jude Bellingham (3rd R) of England vies with Cesar Montes (2nd R) of Mexico during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Jude Bellingham (R) of England scores during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Players of both teams battle for the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Harry Kane (2nd L) of England jumps for a header during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Jude Bellingham (2nd R) of England scores with a header during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Jude Bellingham (2nd R) of England scores with a header during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Harry Kane (L) of England passes the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Gilberto Mora (L) of Mexico attempts to dribble past an opponent during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Raul Jimenez (2nd R) of Mexico vies with Marc Guehi (2nd L) and Nico O'Reilly (1st R) of England during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Jude Bellingham (1st L) of England vies with Cesar Montes of Mexico during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Brian Gutierrez (C) of Mexico vies with Harry Kane (R) of England during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Harry Kane (L) of England controls the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)
Raul Jimenez of Mexico battles for the ball during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Players of Mexico celebrate scoring during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Jude Bellingham (R, front) and Harry Kane (L, front) of England celebrate scoring during the round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, July 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
