England 3-2 Mexico: Bellingham Brace, Kane Penalty Sink El Tri at Azteca in World Cup First
England eliminated Mexico from the World Cup with a 3-2 victory Sunday at the Estadio Azteca, handing El Tri their first-ever World Cup defeat at the historic venue in front of 87,500 fans. Jude Bellingham struck twice…
England eliminated Mexico from the World Cup with a 3-2 victory Sunday at the Estadio Azteca, handing El Tri their first-ever World Cup defeat at the historic venue in front of 87,500 fans. Jude Bellingham struck twice inside two minutes in the first half, and captain Harry Kane converted a penalty to restore a two-goal cushion after England were reduced to 10 men.
Bellingham's Two-Minute Demolition
The match turned on a frantic first-half sequence that left Mexico's defense shell-shocked. Bellingham found the net twice inside two minutes to put England firmly in control. Mexico refused to fold before the break: Julian Quinones cut the deficit to 2-1 with a clutch finish, giving El Tri a lifeline heading into halftime.
Red Card, Penalty, and Kane's Ice-Cold Response
The second half immediately raised the stakes. In the 53rd minute, Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card, reducing England to 10 men and swinging the momentum sharply toward Mexico. The numerical advantage proved short-lived, however. Goalkeeper Raul Rangel recklessly brought down Anthony Gordon inside the penalty area, and referee pointed to the spot. Kane stepped up and buried the penalty with authority, restoring England's two-goal advantage at 3-1 and effectively nullifying Mexico's man-up edge.
Jimenez Pulls One Back, England Dig In
Mexico found a route back in the 69th minute when the referee awarded a second penalty of the match, this time at England's end. Raul Jimenez converted confidently to make it 3-2, setting up a frantic closing stretch at the Azteca. England, still a man down, absorbed wave after wave of Mexican pressure and held the deficit for a gritty result that will rank among the tournament's most dramatic finishes.
A Historic Night at the Azteca
The result carries weight beyond the scoreline. The Estadio Azteca, one of football's most storied venues, had never before witnessed a Mexican World Cup defeat on its turf — until Sunday. Traveling England supporters marked the occasion by belting out "Wonderwall" in the stands after the final whistle.
What Comes Next
England advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face Norway. Mexico's tournament is over, their unblemished World Cup home record at the Azteca now permanently broken by a Bellingham-Kane combination that proved too sharp, even against the odds.
Filed via foxnews.com