What a night at the Azteca. In one of the most dramatic games of the tournament, Mexico vs England ended with the Three Lions winning 3-2 to reach the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, and they did it the hard way, surviving more than half an hour with only 10 men. The result ends the host nation’s run and sends England into the last eight. If you searched this game this morning wondering what happened, here is the full story, clearly laid out, plus what it means for the rest of the World Cup.
| The Short Answer England beat Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup Round of 16 on July 5 at Mexico City Stadium. Jude Bellingham scored twice in under two minutes, and Harry Kane added a penalty. England then held on after Jarrell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute, playing the final 36 minutes a man down. Mexico are eliminated. England advance to the quarterfinals to face Norway, who stunned Brazil 2-1 thanks to two Erling Haaland goals. The last eight are taking shape. |
Mexico vs England: How England Won 3-2
The game exploded into life just before halftime. Jude Bellingham scored twice in under two minutes. His first came in the 36th minute from a Bukayo Saka pass, and his second in the 38th, set up by Harry Kane, to put England 2-0 up. Mexico hit straight back through Julián Quiñones, whose well-taken volley in the 42nd minute made it 2-1 at the break.
The second half is where it turned wild. In the 60th minute, Harry Kane calmly slotted a penalty after a foul on Anthony Gordon, restoring England’s two-goal cushion. Mexico refused to quit and grabbed a late second to set up a nervy finish. England held firm for a 3-2 win. You can read the full match report on ESPN.
| Minute | What Happened |
| 36′ | Bellingham puts England 1-0 up, set up by Saka |
| 38′ | Bellingham again for 2-0, assisted by Kane |
| 42′ | Quiñones pulls one back for Mexico, 2-1 |
| 54′ | Quansah is sent off, England down to 10 men |
| 60′ | Kane scores a penalty for 3-1 |
| Late | Mexico grab a second, but England hold on 3-2 |
The Red Card That Changed Everything
The turning point came in the 54th minute. The referee showed England defender Jarrell Quansah a straight red card after a VAR review, for a dangerous challenge on Mexico’s Jesús Gallardo. It left England with 10 men for the final 36 minutes plus stoppage time, turning a comfortable lead into a survival test. Iranian official Alireza Faghani took charge of a fiery night. Manager Thomas Tuchel’s side dug in, and the red card means Quansah is likely to miss the quarterfinal through suspension.
Heartbreak for Mexico and the Home Fans
For Mexico, this one will sting for a long time. Losing at the Azteca, in front of their own passionate fans, is a rare and painful way to bow out as co-hosts. They fought hard to the end. Julián Quiñones grabbed a goal, striker Raúl Jiménez kept battling up front while wearing his trademark protective headband, and captain Edson Álvarez drove the side on. There was even a glimpse of the future in 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, one of the youngest players at the whole tournament. In the end, it was not enough, and Mexico’s 2026 dream is over.
England Are Through, and Norway Are Waiting
England march on to the quarterfinals, where a huge test awaits. Their opponent is Norway, powered by Erling Haaland, who produced one of the shocks of the tournament. Norway knocked out five-time champions Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring both goals to send them home early. England versus Norway is set for Saturday, July 11, in Miami. Haaland against England’s defense will be must-watch football.
Why England Fans Were Singing Wonderwall
If you saw Wonderwall trending and wondered why, that is an England thing. The Oasis anthem has become an unofficial singalong for England supporters, and the traveling fans belted it out again during the Mexico game. Two decades on, it is still the soundtrack to England’s biggest nights.
What’s Next: The Rest of the Last 16
The World Cup does not slow down. Several huge Round of 16 games are still to come over the next two days, and two quarterfinals are already locked in.
| Match | When (ET) | Stage |
| Portugal vs Spain | Mon, July 6 | Round of 16 |
| USA vs Belgium | Mon, July 6 | Round of 16 |
| Argentina vs Egypt | Tue, July 7 | Round of 16 |
| Switzerland vs Colombia | Tue, July 7 | Round of 16 |
| France vs Morocco | Thu, July 9 | Quarterfinal |
| Norway vs England | Sat, July 11 | Quarterfinal |
The pick of what remains is Portugal versus Spain, a heavyweight clash featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, and Argentina versus Egypt, with Lionel Messi chasing more history. With both legends still in the draw, our Messi versus Ronaldo stats comparison is a fun read. For the full bracket and every result, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 updates. Independent coverage of the schedule is on CBS Sports.
Beyond the World Cup: Today’s Other Sports
Soccer dominated the trends, but a few other names popped up. In baseball, the Dodgers and Padres star Manny Machado were trending on a busy MLB day. NASCAR fans were searching for the result of the latest race. And in the NBA, offseason trade rumors around Joel Embiid and the 76ers kept things buzzing. For now, though, all eyes are on the World Cup.
Mexico vs England delivered everything a World Cup knockout should: early goals, a red card, a grandstand finish, and heartbreak for the hosts. England survived it all to reach the quarterfinals, where Erling Haaland and Norway now stand in their way. Mexico bow out with pride after a tournament on home soil.
With Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and the USA all still in action, the 2026 World Cup is only getting better. Keep it locked here for every result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico still in the World Cup?
No. Mexico crashed out after losing 3-2 to England in the Round of 16 on July 5. As co-hosts, they bowed out at home, ending their 2026 tournament in the last 16.
What was the Mexico vs England score?
England won 3-2. Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane added a penalty for England, while Julián Quiñones and a late goal replied for Mexico. The Three Lions held on despite finishing the game with 10 men.
Why did England get a red card?
The referee sent off England defender Jarrell Quansah in the 54th minute, after a VAR review, for a dangerous challenge on Mexico’s Jesús Gallardo. That left the Three Lions to play the final 36 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men.
Who does England play next in the World Cup?
England face Norway in the quarterfinals, scheduled for Saturday, July 11, in Miami. Norway reached the last eight by beating Brazil 2-1, with Erling Haaland scoring both goals.
Did Brazil get eliminated?
Yes. Norway knocked out Brazil, the five-time World Cup winners, 2-1 in the Round of 16. Erling Haaland scored twice, one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 tournament so far.
When are the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
The quarterfinals run from July 9 to July 11. France versus Morocco is on July 9, and Norway versus England is on July 11. The remaining last-16 games on July 6 and 7 decide the other quarterfinal spots.
