Historic Victory for England at the Estadio Azteca
England’s ten-man squad achieved a remarkable victory against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca, overcoming the historic shadow of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” incident that took place in the same stadium 40 years ago. This win marks England’s largest victory in World Cup history on foreign soil. The team is now set to face Norway, who stunned Brazil with a 2-1 victory in the previous round. Meanwhile, the United States is eager to advance to the quarter-finals, having recently had the suspension of top scorer Folarin Balogun rescinded following presidential intervention with FIFA.
Match Recap: England vs. Mexico
Leading up to the Round of 16 clash, England faced unfavorable conditions, grappling with the high altitude of 7,352 feet. Mexico’s historical dominance at the Azteca, with an impressive record of 70 wins out of 89 matches across competitions, posed an additional challenge. However, England defied the odds in a thrilling encounter showcasing five goals, seven yellow cards including one red, two penalties, and numerous game-changing moments, all while holding just 33.2 percent possession.
Osvaldo Aguilar/FIFA (via Getty Images)
England executed their game plan effectively, containing Mexico — known for their fast starts — through the first quarter, including the hydration break. In the 36th minute, Jude Bellingham scored England’s opening goal, finishing a setup initiated by Declan Rice, who skillfully maneuvered 60 yards before assisting Bukayo Saka for a precise cross. This marked the first time Mexico conceded a goal in the tournament.
Just 98 seconds later, England extended their lead to 2-0, with Bellingham connecting in a quick one-two with Harry Kane. Despite their aggressive first half strategy, Mexico came back when winger Julián Quiñones capitalized on a defensive error, scoring his fourth goal with a close-range volley.
The game intensified in the second half when England’s makeshift right-back Jarrell Quansah received a red card for a foul on Jesus Gallardo, adding pressure on the visitors. However, Kane quickly restored England’s two-goal advantage by converting a penalty following a foul by Mexico’s goalkeeper Raul Rangel. While Mexico managed to score from the penalty spot, England’s resolute defense, led by substitute Dan Byrne, successfully staved off their attempts for an equalizer.
In another match from the Round of 16, Norway’s Erling Haaland netted two goals to seal a historic win over Brazil, pushing Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time. This World Cup will be remembered for the impressive tally of goals from top players, with Mbappé, Messi, and Haaland all scoring seven or more goals.
Upcoming Matches and Player News
Folarin Balogun is back in action for Team USA after a red card received in their previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun’s reinstatement follows a surprising appeal to FIFA by President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the Belgian Football Federation has expressed dissatisfaction regarding FIFA’s decision, emphasizing their surprise over the reversal.
Regardless of Balogun’s situation, confidence remains high for the American squad as they prepare to challenge Belgium, a team that has also had its difficulties in this tournament, narrowly defeating Senegal with the latest goal in World Cup history.
Viewing Details for Upcoming Matches
Fans can catch all the action live on Telemundo and Peacock. Match times are listed below:
3 PM: Portugal vs. Spain
8 PM: USA vs. Belgium
