Ten-man England hold off Mexico: Bellingham double seals quarterfinal spot

Thomas Tuchel’s England showed resilience and quality to knock out World Cup hosts Mexico with a 3-2 victory, despite playing the final 36 minutes with ten men following Jarrell Quansah’s red card. Jude Bellingham was the architect of the win, scoring twice in the space of two minutes just before halftime. The Real Madrid midfielder first converted a low cross from Anthony Gordon, then headed home from a corner after a clever short routine to put England firmly in control. Mexico pulled one back through Julián Quiñones on 42 minutes, but the game turned early in the second half when Quansah was sent off for a dangerous challenge. Instead of retreating, England struck again — Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot in the 60th minute after Bukayo Saka was brought down. Raúl Jiménez kept Mexico alive by converting a penalty of his own nine minutes later after a foul on Roberto Alvarado, but the hosts could not find an equaliser. Jordan Pickford made a crucial late save, and England’s backline held firm under aerial bombardment. Mexico line-up: Rangel — Sánchez (Fidalgo, 79), Montes (Álvarez, 46), Vásquez, Gallardo — Mora (S. Giménez, 61), Lira, Romo (Gutiérrez, 61) — Alvarado, R. Jiménez, Quiñones (Martínez, 81). England line-up: Pickford — Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Riley (Spence, 75) — Anderson (Burn, 75), Rice — Saka (Stones, 57), Bellingham, Gordon — Kane. Bookings: Sánchez, Vásquez — Guéhi, O’Riley, J. Henderson (unused). Red card: Quansah 54’ (serious foul play).