By Oscar Okhifo
England withstood a stirring second-half fightback from co-hosts Mexico to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory on Sunday and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where an Erling Haaland-inspired Norway await in what promises to be one of the tournament’s standout encounters.
The Three Lions appeared to be cruising after Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession before captain Harry Kane calmly converted from the penalty spot to hand Thomas Tuchel’s side a commanding 3-0 advantage.
However, Mexico refused to surrender in front of a passionate home crowd at the Estadio Azteca. Julián Quiñones pulled one back before the interval to breathe life into the contest and set the stage for a gripping second half.
England’s task became significantly more difficult when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review for a reckless challenge, forcing Tuchel’s men to play the remainder of the match with 10 players.
Sensing their opportunity, Mexico piled forward in search of a comeback. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 3-2, sparking a tense finale as the hosts relentlessly searched for an equaliser.
The pressure intensified during 11 minutes of stoppage time, but England held firm. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a series of crucial saves, while the defence repelled wave after wave of Mexican attacks to preserve the narrow lead and secure passage to the last eight.
Bellingham’s dazzling first-half display ultimately proved decisive, with the midfielder once again delivering when it mattered most to continue his outstanding World Cup campaign.
Awaiting England in the quarter-finals is Norway, who earlier produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by knocking out five-time champions Brazil with a stunning 2-1 victory.
Erling Haaland was the hero for the Scandinavians, scoring twice in the closing stages to crush Brazil’s hopes of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title and propel Norway into the last eight.
The quarter-final now pits two of football’s brightest stars against one another, with Haaland and Bellingham arriving in scintillating form after match-winning performances that have underlined their status among the game’s elite.
Their meeting is already shaping up to be one of the marquee fixtures of the tournament, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
With the competition entering its decisive phase and the margins for error becoming ever smaller, the race for football’s biggest prize continues to gather intensity.
As the quarter-finals beckon, the tournament’s biggest names are rising to the occasion, promising more drama, more quality and more unforgettable moments in the pursuit of World Cup glory.