FIFA 2026: Breakdown of How 10- Man England Thrashed Mexico To Reach Round of 16

 

It was just about this time in 2010 when England failed to make it past the Round of 16. They lost 4-1 to Germany in that edition of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. They would not allow that to repeat itself against Mexico, though it took them, playing 10-man, midway through the second half. 

Jude Bellingham netted a brace within two minutes, sending shivers down Mexico as a team. The South Americans, however, meant to withstand the assaults from England, and made repeated attacks at their goal and scored their first goal before halftime. On top of that, Jarell Quansah was red-carded in the second half,  minutes after both sides scored from penalties. 

Quansah's dismissal was England's first in this tournament, and he became the fourth English player to be eliminated in a FIFA World Cup. Despite the setback, England held on to win. They will face Norway in the quarterfinals.    

How Goals Unfolded? 

England broke the deadlock in the 36th minute in a fast break with a superb finish from Bellingham. Harry Kane slipped a pass to Bukayo Saka, who darted down the left flank and pushed into the penalty before delivering an incredible, pinpoint cross to on-rushing Bellingham for a glancing header into the net.

Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon stole the ball from a Mexican midfielder and set off a counter. Bellingham did a one-two with Harry Kane before tapping home a return pass from the striker. Mexico broke back, narrowing the lead when Julian Quinones blasted home a loose ball, following a free-kick. 

England returned from the halftime to a setback with Quansah's dismissal. The defenders on Gallardo earned him a red card after VAR review. Moments later, Gordon drew a penalty for Harry Kane to convert, and England led by 3-1. Unfortunately, Harry Kane was later involved in a tackle that was ruled a penalty after VAR review. Raul Jimenez scored from the spot-kick, and Mexico had two goals. 

Overview 

Mexico fiercely contended to stay in the tournament, and England were not ready to be kicked out too early. Thomas Tuchel's reshuffling of the team to make up for Quansah's dismissal paid off. He removed an attacker and brought in a right-back defender to shore up the defense. 

The South American had a handful of scoring opportunities. England, however, escaped their tenacious approach to the game. The Three Lions' early attacking approach saved the day. They later recoiled to defending the lead, with one man down. 

Chances and Defenses 

Mexico had the first taste of scoring opportunities with Gallardo's in swinger for Jimenez to nod towards the left corner, forcing a save from Jordan Pickford. England's first close shave with a goal was from Saka's fantastic low-cut cross, leading to England's opener. 

England caught Mexico's defender playing too wide and open on the two occasions they scored in the first half. Pickford saved a couple of Jimenez's attempts, and Bellingham blocked Montes' close-range finish inside the six-yard box, which could have levelled the tally before halftime.