Kinshasa, July 6th, 2026 (CPA). – England’s Three Lions kept alive their dream of winning a second FIFA World Cup title after defeating co-host Mexico 3-2 on Monday in the Round of 16 at Mexico City Stadium in an entertaining and hard-fought encounter. England secured victory thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham, who scored in the 36th and 38th minutes, before captain Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 60th minute. Mexico responded through Julián Quiñones in the 42nd minute and Raúl Jiménez, who converted a penalty in the 69th minute after England defender Jarell Quansah had been sent off in the 54th minute. Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for more than 30 minutes, the hosts were unable to find an equaliser.
A 60-Year Wait for Another World Title
The victory further confirms England’s status as one of the traditional powerhouses of world football. Crowned world champions on home soil in 1966 after defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final, England have been chasing a second World Cup title for six decades. Over the years, the English national team has remained a regular contender in the latter stages of the competition. It finished fourth at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and again at the 2018 tournament in Russia after losing to Croatia in the semi-finals. England also reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where it was eliminated by France. The current generation, led by Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and several other young talents, is determined to end that long wait. With this victory, England advance to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Erling Haaland’s Norway in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter.