England 3-1 Mexico: Bellingham Inspires Three Lions Past Co-Hosts into Quarter-Finals

Match Details

• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Round of 16
• Date: 6th July 2026
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
• Final Score: England 3 - 1 Mexico
• Half Time: England 1 - 1 Mexico
• Referee: Slavko Vincic

Match Stats & Key Metrics

	England	Mexico
Score	3	1
Half Time	1	1
Goalscorers	Bellingham, Kane, Saka	Gimenez

The Story of the Match

ENGLAND withstood the noise of a sold-out Estadio Azteca and a spirited Mexico fightback to win 3-1 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals, Jude Bellingham inspiring the comeback with a wonderful individual goal before setting up further strikes for Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka. It was the biggest test yet of Thomas Tuchel's tournament, played in front of a hostile crowd of over 87,000 desperate to see the co-hosts advance.

Mexico, backed by a deafening home support, made the perfect start when Santiago Gimenez turned in a rebound after Jordan Pickford had done well to save Hirving Lozano's initial effort, the AC Milan striker reacting quickest in a crowded box in the 19th minute. Estadio Azteca erupted, and for a spell England were pinned back as Edson Alvarez began to dominate midfield.

England needed a moment of quality to settle themselves, and Bellingham provided it three minutes before half time. Picking the ball up just inside the Mexico half, he drove at three defenders, shifted the ball onto his right foot with a sudden change of direction that left Cesar Montes on the floor, and rifled a finish high past Guillermo Ochoa from the edge of the box. It was the goal of the tournament so far and sent England in level at the break.

The second half belonged to England. Bellingham, now playing with total freedom, slid in Kane just past the hour mark with a defence-splitting pass, the captain finishing coolly for his fourth goal of the finals. Mexico pushed men forward in search of an equaliser and left themselves exposed, and substitute Saka punished them in the closing stages, racing clear to finish smartly after another surging Bellingham run had carved the game open.

Raul Jimenez had a header well saved by Pickford in stoppage time as Mexico searched for a way back in, but England held on to end the co-hosts' tournament and set up a quarter-final against opposition to be confirmed. It was a night that may come to define Bellingham's tournament, the Real Madrid midfielder directly involved in all three England goals in one of the great away performances of the finals.

Jude Bellingham wheels away after his brilliant equaliser against Mexico. Photo: Julian Finney - FIFA, via Getty Images

Player Ratings

Player	Rating
Jordan Pickford	7
Reece James	6
John Stones	6
Marc Guehi	6
Nico O'Reilly	7
Declan Rice	7
Kobbie Mainoo	6
Jude Bellingham	10
Harry Kane	8
Ollie Watkins	6
Bukayo Saka (sub)	8

Author's Standout Players

• Jude Bellingham (England) - A man of the match display for the ages, scoring a stunning solo equaliser before setting up both of England's second-half goals in a total midfield masterclass.
• Harry Kane (England) - Took his fourth goal of the tournament superbly after being sent clear by Bellingham, and continues to lead England's line by example.
• Santiago Gimenez (Mexico) - Gave the co-hosts the perfect start with a predator's finish, and was a constant menace until England's control took hold.
• Edson Alvarez (Mexico) - Dominated the opening half hour and will wonder how Mexico did not do more with their early control of the game.

Top photo: Jude Bellingham celebrates against Mexico. Photo: Julian Finney - FIFA, via Getty Images