Mexico was defeated 2-3 by England on their home turf and qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham scored twice in two minutes and Harry Kane converted a penalty. England held on despite Jarell Quansah's red card at the Estadio Azteca.
Kick-off was delayed an hour by thunderstorms, and Mexico started the match attacking. Jordan Pickford denied Raul Jimenez a diving header after 15 minutes. Then England struck against the run of play, Bellingham heading home Bukayo Saka's cross in the 36th minute and tucking in Kane's low ball just 98 seconds later. Julian Quinones volleyed one back before the break after England failed to clear a free kick.
The game turned in the 54th minute. Referee Alireza Faghani reviewed a Quansah high tackle on Jesus Gallardo at the pitchside monitor and shown a red card, leaving England with 10 men. Quansah became only the fourth England player ever sent off at a World Cup.
England responded immediately. Anthony Gordon was fouled by goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane converted from the spot on the hour. Within 10 minutes, Kane clipped Brian Gutierrez while clearing, and Jimenez beat Pickford with a stutter-step penalty in the 69th minute.
Mexico attacked relentlessly across the final 21 minutes and 11 minutes of stoppage time, but England's box held firm.
"It was a crazy game," Kane said. "We had to fight. We had to find something. I can't really talk. Yeah, the occasion, the team, everything against us. We found a way."
Bellingham was named player of the match for his brace.
The result handed Mexico their first World Cup defeat at the Azteca, a venue where El Tri had been unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three at this tournament. In front of more than 80 thousand fans, it was only Mexico's third loss in 90 competitive matches at the ground since 1966.
Kane's penalty was his sixth goal of the tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Muller of West Germany for fifth on the all-time list. He sits one behind Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. His night also made him the first player since at least 1966 to score and concede a penalty in a single World Cup game.
Pickford, meanwhile, made his 17th World Cup appearance, equalling Peter Shilton as England men's all-time record holder for World Cup outings.
England reach the quarter-finals for the third straight time. Thomas Tuchel's side face Norway, who beat Brazil 2-1, on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Erling Haaland's Norway stand between them and a semi-final place.
Mexico's exit continues a long drought. The co-hosts have not reached the quarter-finals since hosting in 1986, having since lost in the round of 16 eight times and failed to escape the group stage in 2022.
