England's players celebrated their win after beating Mexico in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match at the Mexico City Stadium on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
England fought hard against Mexico to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. Norway also surprised Brazil as a FIFA decision to allow United States player Folarin Balogun to play after a call from Donald Trump caused an uproar.
The day was full of excitement both on the pitch and off it. In a thrilling game at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, 10-man England managed to defeat Mexico 3-2. The match really lived up to the excitement.
Jude Bellingham seemed to have set England on the right path by scoring two quick goals in 98 seconds, giving the Three Lions a 2-0 lead by the 38th minute.
Mexico responded with a goal from Julian Quinones, making it 2-1 at halftime. Things got tougher for England when defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card after a VAR review at 54 minutes.
Despite being down to ten players, England added to their score with a penalty from Harry Kane, making it 3-1. Mexico didn’t give up easily. A controversial VAR review led to a penalty for them, which Raul Jimenez converted to bring the score to 3-2.
England's tired players held strong against Mexico's attacks to secure a famous win. "It was a crazy game. We had the occasion, everything against us, but we found a way,” said captain Kane.
Bellingham, named man of the match, called it the “best night of my England career.” He added, “In big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second.”
This victory sends England into a quarter-final match in Miami next Saturday against Norway, who beat Brazil 2-1 in another thrilling game earlier that day.
Norway's star striker Erling Haaland scored two late goals to secure the win, ending Brazil's hopes for a sixth world title. The Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland played exceptionally well, saving a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes before Haaland scored in the last 11 minutes.
“I dreamed of playing in the World Cup with Norway and taking them to the World Cup, but I never expected to win against Brazil, let’s be honest,” Haaland said. “I thought it was not possible to do some things, but I guess I’m wrong.”
Sunday's exciting matches were topped with off-field drama as news broke that United States striker Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium in Monday's last 16 match. This was despite receiving a one-match ban last week for a red card.
It later came out that President Trump had personally called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to ask him to review Balogun’s punishment, according to two sources.
Trump reacted joyfully to the news. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he posted on his Truth Social platform.
The Royal Belgian Football Association was furious, saying they were “astonished” by the decision and were “investigating all potential options.”
Balogun, who has scored three goals in this World Cup, was supposed to miss Monday’s match after being sent off for accidentally stepping on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic in the USA’s 2-0 win in the last 32 on Wednesday.
According to FIFA rules, a straight red card means an automatic one-game ban, which the player's team cannot appeal. The United States Soccer Federation had not tried to challenge the ban, and Balogun had accepted his punishment.
But FIFA announced on Sunday that Balogun’s ban would now be suspended for a year, without giving any specific reason.
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