England Top Mexico 3-2 at Azteca, Face Norway Next
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- England beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium with Jude Bellingham scoring twice and Harry Kane converting a penalty, setting up a quarterfinal against Norway on Saturday in Miami
- Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds midway through the first half, becoming only the second player since Maradona in 1986 to net twice at the Azteca (after Gary Lineker in the round of 16)
- Harry Kane became the first player on record since 1966 to both score and concede a penalty in the same World Cup match, converting a 60th-minute spot kick before fouling substitute Brian Gutiérrez for Mexico's second
- Jarell Quansah's VAR red card in the 54th minute for a high tackle on Jesús Gallardo left England a man down for 36 minutes, forcing Thomas Tuchel into a flat back five with John Stones, Dan Burn and Djed Spence
- Raúl Jiménez, who has spent eight years playing in England, took seven shots and converted a penalty against Jordan Pickford — his sixth career goal past the Everton keeper, in a game he called 'special' given his Premier League ties
- Anthony Gordon, rewarded with a start after criticism from the Ghana group game, drew the penalty for England's third and played a direct role in the build-up to Bellingham's second
Why it matters: England advance to the quarterfinals but face a defensive personnel crisis — Quansah's suspension and Reece James' continued absence leave Tuchel without a natural right back for Norway, while the Guéhi-Konsa center-back pairing looked vulnerable to direct play before the reshuffle.
