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France 24
France 24
Sport
Benjamin DODMAN

Ten-man England survive Mexico comeback to knock out World Cup co-hosts

Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener at the Azteca.
Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England's opener at the Azteca. © Eloisa Sanchez, Reuters

The teams

Mexico: Raul Rangel, Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, ⁠Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Gilberto Mora, Raul ⁠Jimenez, ​Julian Quinones, Roberto Alvarado

England: Jordan Pickford, Jarell Quansah, ​Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, ​Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Bukayo ​Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane

Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures

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Having survived the Azteca, and laid the ghosts of Maradona's handball to rest, England now head to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where Erling Haaland's Norway lies in wait.

Before that, Spain take on Portugal in the round of 16, while the last remaining co-hosts USA face Belgium for a place in the quarters.

Stay with us for live commentary of both matches and for full coverage of the World Cup.

Kane: 'England found a way'

A few words from the England captain, hoarse after celebrating with teammates and supporters.

"It was a crazy game. We had to fight and we had to find something," he says. "I've just been singing, I can't really talk. The occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way."

Kane conceded a penalty that the referee awarded after checking VAR images.

"I thought I got to the ball first, it was one of those days," he says. "The ref gave a lot against us. In the end it didn't matter so I'm happy."

Here's our match report

It was nerve-racking stuff for fans of either team and a glorious spectacle for all football fans.

But only one team was allowed in the quarters, and England overall deserved their victory after weathering the Azteca storm.

Mexico will have done their fans proud with an impressive run to the last 16, winning all three group games and clinching a first knockout victory in 40 years.

England hand Mexico their first World Cup loss at the Azteca

England ⁠survived a ​spirited Mexico fightback to secure a 3-2 win ​on Sunday and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, despite falling down to 10 men early in the second half.

Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, Harry Kane converted a penalty when England were down to 10 men, and the Three Lions handed Mexico their first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, in a wild 3-2 victory.

One of the all-time great wins for England. Credit: Henry Romero, Reuters

Full time!! England survive!

What a match! What a stand by the 10 men, in one of the fiercest environments in football.

But heartbreak for the hosts and their fervent fans, who gave it everything they had.

Pickford holds

Mexico have another corner, nine minutes into injury time, and it ricochets off an England defender before Pickford gets hold of the ball.

Jimenez misfires

The one millionth cross into the England box finds Jimenez, whose shot sails over the bar.

Wasteful Mexico crosses

Mexico are tiring, too, of course they are, and the crosses are getting less accurate.

Bellingham attempts to lob the keeper

Yet another corner for Mexico, which Pickford clears for the umpteenth time.

England enjoy a rare foray in the Mexico half and Bellingham, who is gasping for air, attempts to lob the keeper from miles out.

Eleven minutes of added time!

It's far from over.

Guehi with a crucial tackle

Some heroic defending from the England back line.

England hanging by skin of their teeth

It's non-stop Mexico attacks now.

Spence does well to get in the way of Jimenez who was about to have a clear shot on goal.

String of corners for Mexico

Mexico have a corner, which Pickford punches out for another corner. And then a third.

Quinones has a good chance but Guéhi does just enough to bother him and the header is wide.

Mexico lay siege to England box

Can the Three Lions hold with 10 men?

Drinks!

This match is bonkers.

Jimenez converts! Mexico 2-3 England!

Pickford guesses right but can't reach Jimenez's powerful shot!

Penalty for Mexico!

The hosts get a penalty of their own, this one a soft one.

The referee is called by VAR and decides Kane fouled Gutiérrez as they both tried to kick the ball in the England area.

Kane converts the penalty! Mexico 1-3 England!

Rangel goes the right way but Kane's kick is too powerful.

A HUGE breather for England!

Penalty for England!

Scenes!

Gordon sprints for the ball and is taken down by the Mexican keeper.

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