Bellingham brace fires ten-man England into World Cup last eight

England survived a spirited Mexico comeback to book their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 3-2 victory in a dramatic Round of 16 clash at the Mexico City Stadium on Monday morning.

The Three Lions appeared to be in complete control after racing into a two-goal lead through Jude Bellingham before Harry Kane extended their advantage from the penalty spot early in the second half. However, a red card for Jarell Quansah and a late Mexican onslaught ensured the European giants had to dig deep to preserve their lead and set up a quarter-final showdown with Norway, who stunned Brazil in another Round of 16 encounter.

England made the brighter start and were rewarded in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka floated a delightful cross into the penalty area for Bellingham, who powered a header beyond Raul Rangel to hand Thomas Tuchel's men the lead.

Just two minutes later, England doubled their advantage through another moment of brilliance involving Bellingham. Harry Kane threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the Real Madrid midfielder's path, and Bellingham kept his composure to finish from close range for his second goal of the match.

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Mexico refused to fold and clawed their way back into the contest three minutes before the interval. Julian Quinones reacted quickest after Jordan Pickford parried an initial effort, smashing the rebound into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1 before halftime.

The match took a dramatic twist shortly after the restart when England defender Quansah was sent off following a VAR review that upgraded his challenge to a straight red card, leaving the Three Lions to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.

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Despite being a man down, England restored their two-goal cushion in the 60th minute. Goalkeeper Rangel was penalised for bringing down Kane inside the box, and the England captain calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.

Mexico sensed an opportunity and continued to pile forward. Their persistence paid off in the 69th minute after another VAR review awarded them a penalty. Raul Jimenez confidently dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom corner to cut England's lead to 3-2 and ignite hopes of a remarkable comeback.

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The hosts dominated the closing stages, with Pickford producing crucial saves and England's defence throwing bodies on the line to repel wave after wave of Mexican attacks. Edson Alvarez headed wide from a corner, Santiago Gimenez was repeatedly denied inside the area, while Jesus Gallardo and Roberto Alvarado continually delivered dangerous balls into the box.

England suffered another setback late on when captain Kane was forced off through injury and replaced by Morgan Rogers, but Tuchel's side held their nerve through a tense finale to secure their passage into the last eight.

The victory sends England into a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Norway, who produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by eliminating five-time world champions Brazil. The match wull be staged on Saturday.

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WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)

/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/

Sunday

France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)

/Mbappe 70 pen/

Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)

/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/

Monday

Mexico-England 2-3 (1-2)

/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69-Bellingham 36, 38 Kane 60/

22.00: (3.80) Portugal (3.45) Spain (2.00)

Tuesday

03.00: (2.70) USA (3.40) Belgium (2.65)

19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***