England are into the World Cup quarter-finals after a 3-2 Round of 16 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, a result Thomas Tuchel’s side earned through resilience as much as quality.
The Three Lions led 2-1 at the break after a brace from Jude Bellingham, only for Julian Quinones to pull Mexico level early in the second half. Momentum swung further against England when Jarell Quansah was dismissed following a VAR review for a high challenge, leaving the FIFA fourth-ranked side to defend a slender advantage in thin air and heavy heat.
Harry Kane restored a two-goal cushion from the spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel, only for Kane to concede a penalty at the other end following another VAR intervention. Raul Jimenez converted to set up a tense final 21 minutes, with Mexico pushing hard despite finishing with 67% possession and 20 shots to England’s six.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney called it one of the country’s greatest World Cup nights, praising the attitude, grit and desire shown under pressure. He singled out six players who stood up when it mattered: Jordan Pickford, both centre-backs, Declan Rice, Bellingham and Kane.
“Pickford had his best game and the two centre backs were really good,” Rooney said. “Ahead of the defence Declan Rice was excellent and Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane really turned up tonight.”
Fellow pundit Alan Shearer echoed that verdict, insisting every England player matched the occasion. “Everything that could have gone against them — the energy, the altitude — they got past all of that,” Shearer said. “That is an incredible performance from start to finish.”
England now turn their attention to a quarter-final meeting with Norway, carrying momentum from a night that tested character as severely as it tested technique.
