Mexico 2-3 England: 10-man Three Lions hold on through Bellingham brace
England survived a red card and a spirited Mexican fightback to win 3-2 at a raucous Estadio Azteca, setting up a World Cup quarter-final meeting with Norway.
Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession either side of the half-hour mark to put England 2-0 up, only for Julian Quinones to pull one back for the co-hosts with a well-taken volley four minutes before the interval. The tie turned firmly on its head early in the second half when Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Jesus Gallardo, leaving England to see out more than half an hour, plus stoppage time, with ten men.
Rather than wilt, England extended their lead when Harry Kane converted a penalty after Raul Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon. Mexico responded through Raul Jimenez, also from the penalty spot, after VAR sent referee Alireza Faghani to the monitor for a foul by Kane on Brian Gutierrez, setting up a nervy finish. Despite Mexico's pressure in the closing stages, England's ten men held firm to condemn the co-hosts to defeat at their own fortress.
The result books England a quarter-final date with Erling Haaland's Norway, who eliminated Brazil in the previous round.
Key moments
- •Jude Bellingham scored twice in two minutes (36', 38') to put England in control
- •Jarell Quansah sent off in the 54th minute after a VAR review, leaving England with 10 men
- •Harry Kane and Raul Jimenez both converted second-half penalties
- •England held on with ten men for more than 36 minutes to seal a quarter-final spot
Timeline
Match facts
- Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
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- Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
Match report generated from publicly available sources. Facts are drawn from the sources below.