Himal Press 
Photo Courtesy: FIFA
KATHMANDU: Ten-man England beat Mexico 3-2 to progress to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday morning.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in the first half, while captain Harry Kane netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 60th minute after Anthony Gordon was brought down inside the box by the Mexican defence. Mexico pulled one back before half-time and scored their second in the second half when Raul Jimenez converted a penalty awarded after Kane kicked Brian Gutierrez’s foot inside the box.
England took the lead after a brilliant counterattack in the 36th minute. Declan Rice collected the ball from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, surged down the right flank and passed to Bukayo Saka. Saka floated a cross into the box that evaded Kane but found a diving Bellingham, who headed home.
Bellingham doubled England’s lead two minutes later when Kane teed him up inside the box after collecting Elliott Anderson’s pass. Bellingham fired home with his right foot to complete his brace.
England conceded four minutes later when a Mexican free-kick was deflected in the crowded England penalty area and fell to Julian Quinones, who lashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
After the restart, Nico O’Reilly hit the woodwork for England in the 49th minute. But England were reduced to 10 men when the referee showed a straight red card to Jarrel Quansah for kicking Jesus Gallardo in the shin.
Despite being down to 10 men, England restored their two-goal advantage soon after. They were awarded a penalty after Gordon was brought down by Mexican goalkeeper Raul Rangel. Kane stepped up and scored from the spot to take his tally at the 2026 World Cup to five goals.
Mexico reduced the deficit to 3-2 as Raul Jimenez converted from the spot after the referee, following a VAR review, ruled that Kane had kicked the Mexican defender’s leg inside the box.
Mexico piled pressure on England in search of an equaliser that would have taken the match into extra time, but England held on until the final whistle.
England will face Norway in the quarterfinal.
