Mexico 2-3 England: FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 – as it happened

England come away with a famous 3-2 victory in a see-saw battle at the Azteca.

They will now take on Norway in the quarterfinals, with the match set for July 11.

We hope you will join us then, and for the rest of our in-depth World Cup coverage. This is me, Rohan Sharma, and Kevin Hand saying goodbye.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England advance to the final eight.#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 6, 2026

We have another World Cup double-header planned for you on Monday.

First up, we have an Iberian tussle between Portugal and Spain, with the live page set to begin at 16:00 GMT.

Following that, we have Belgium take on cohosts USA, with the live page commencing at 21:00 GMT.

Los últimos antes de octavos.#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/43myCFfm9X

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 5, 2026

Mexico 2-3 England

A sensational game at the Azteca, full of drama.

England inflict just the third defeat on Mexico at the stadium in a competitive game, and they really had to work for it. pic.twitter.com/6NMWKjPa24

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 6, 2026

2 – Jude Bellingham is the first player to score two goals at the Estadio Azteca in a FIFA World Cup game since Diego Maradona in 1986 against Belgium in the semifinal. There were just 98 seconds between his two strikes.

Lightning. pic.twitter.com/b6Q8NxgZiL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

Julián Quiñones equals the record number of goals scored by a Mexican player in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup, level with Luis Hernández’s tally in 1998 (4). pic.twitter.com/VDuaScoVfd

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 6, 2026

England players to be sent off at the FIFA World Cup:

Ray Wilkins vs Morocco (1986)
David Beckham vs Argentina (1998)
Wayne Rooney vs Portugal (2006)
Jarell Quansah vs Mexico (2026) pic.twitter.com/l06Q4S3wET

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 6, 2026

England forward Harry Kane caught up with the host broadcaster: “It was a crazy game. We had to fight.

“All the occasion, everything against us – we found a way.

On conceding the penalty: “I thought I got to the ball first. It was one of those days where the ref gave a lot [of decisions] against us.

“In the end, it didn’t matter, so I am happy.”

1 – Harry Kane is the first player on record since 1966 to score a penalty and concede a penalty in a FIFA World Cup match.

Mixture. pic.twitter.com/JBmMcsLUTX

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

England manager Thomas Tuchel spoke with the host broadcaster following the match: “Very proud. We needed everything. It was super difficult. We thought we caught the momentum, but we had setbacks. That is proper mentality [the boys showed out there].

“It is what I always tell you – this team really means it. When the going got tough, they never lost belief: Just one step more.”

On who can stop them: “Norway? We need to take this in. This is Azteca. This is Mexico. This was a crazy game.

“We left everything out there. Now, it is full steam ahead.”

Click here to read our full match report.

11 – England have qualified for their 11th FIFA World Cup quarterfinal – only Brazil (15) and Germany (14) have reached more.

Marching. pic.twitter.com/PE4ybvpxVF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 6, 2026

Plenty was made about the intimidating atmosphere that was the Azteca. Mexico came out of the gates with plenty of intent, but England were able to go toe-to-toe.

It culminated in two goals, very much against the run of play, from Bellingham in the space of 90 seconds.

But Mexico weren’t going anywhere, with Quinones pulling one back before half-time to keep England’s lead to just one goal.

Despite Konsa being sent off, Gordon was able to win a penalty to give England their two-goal cushion once more. But Kane, who scored the decisive spot kick, ended up giving a penalty at the other end, which Jimenez buried.

From there, it became all about Mexico’s attack against England’s defence, with every cross sent in potentially extending this match into extra time.

In all, it had all the trappings of one of the games of the tournament so far.

Full-time: Mexico 2-3 England 

A tie that had absolutely everything. A win that means absolutely everything.

WE ARE WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINALISTS! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mpBLI7m3XQ

— England (@England) July 6, 2026

England’s rearguard action is able to see the Three Lions through into the quarterfinals.

Full-time: Mexico 2-3 England 

The ball comes in from the right side, with it dangerously falling inside the goal area.

Jimenez looks to get to it, but it is just wide of the left upright.

The corner is taken quickly, with Rangel coming up, but England are able to see it out, but have to force another corner from the right side.

The second corner is punched away by Pickford, as the ball heads out towards the left sideline.

90+12 mins: Mexico 2-3 England 

Mexico are down to 10 at the moment, with one of the players hurt outside the byline.

The ball is driven in, bouncing dangerously towards Pickford, but the keeper is able to claim it in the air.

90+10 mins: Mexico 2-3 England 

He tries to go for a side-foot chance off a low cross from the left side.

But the forward ends up sending it over the bar, much to the relief of Pickford in goal.

90+8 mins: Mexico 2-3 England 

Jordan Henderson (England) is shown the yellow card.

Johan Vásquez (Mexico) is shown the yellow card.

England continue to have bodies behind to deal with the Mexican advances.

The tension is so thick over the stadium, you can cut it with a knife.

90+6 mins: Mexico 2-3 England 

Gutierrez drives it in from the right side.

Pickford rushes it out to punch it away, with Mexico re-winning possession soon after.

90+3 mins: Mexico 2-3 England