The 13 craziest moments from England's World Cup victory over Mexico

England’s 3-2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca was an instant classic, with many unforgettable moments.

It’s possible, however, that you missed the match or just want to look back, so we’ve listed the 13 craziest moments from a very crazy match:

Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones warms up ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones warms up ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

England’s forward Harry Kane warms up ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

A Mexico’s fan cheer his team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

Mexican fans take shelter from the rain ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

Mexican football fans kiss as they gather at the Angel of Independence to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

A Mexican football fan blows a horn as they gather at the Angel of Independence to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 football match between Mexico and England in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

Mexican football fans gather at the Angel of Independence to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 football match between Mexico and England, in Mexico City on July 5, 2026.

Well, before the action the fans in Mexico City were treated to the work of the stadium DJ once again. During a one-hour weather delay, the DJ played some of the anthems that have become the backdrop to El Tri’s World Cup run but interspersing English classics as well. The English songs, though, were booed as fans waited to cheer their teams warming up on the field and the action getting started.

scores … then scores again

Mexico hadn’t conceded in this World Cup, and it sort of showed. After Jude Bellingham’s opener, the Real Madrid man was right back in the box as England took advantage of a turnover in midfield to star a second attack. Bellingham got on the end of a pass from Harry Kane for what seemed to be the dagger – though there were more twists in this game.
, El Matador

Indeed, just as it seemed like England may win the match comfortably, despite a difficult stage, Julian Quiñones put himself more deeply in the Mexico record books. Quiñones swung his leg to put a bouncing ball in the box into the net for his fourth goal of this tournament.

That matches Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Luis “El Matador” Hernandez for the most career World Cup goals for Mexico.

Rather than the Three Lions cruising into the locker room as they’d hoped, they were the ones sweating as Mexico continued to find scoring opportunities.

When the halftime whistle blew, you could practically see the relief on the faces of the visiting English.
sees red after video review

Mexico got a big break when Jarell Quansah left his boot in on Jesus Gallardo, putting his studs into the El Tri defender’s calf.

After the VAR sent the referee to the monitor, England went down to 10.

Except, El Tri couldn’t take advantage. As England committed more deeply to trying to hit Mexico over the top, goalkeeper Tala Rangel came for a ball he couldn’t get to and took out Anthony Gordon.

Kane stepped to the spot and converted, and England led 3-1 in the 60th minute.

Kane would be a factor nine minutes later, becoming the first player ever to both score and to be called for a penalty in the World Cup, as his attempted clearance of a ball Raul Jimenez was trying to control in the box instead ended in him booting Jimenez’s leg.

Once again, the referee was called to the monitor, and the Estadio Azteca started to hope again.

Jimenez has a nearly spotless penalty record, and he was never going to miss in this moment. He did his trademark hop and beat Pickford, setting up a frantic finish as Mexico looked to find another after this 69th-minute goal to make it 3-2.

As Mexico tried to find an equalizer, Raul went for the spectacular with an attempted overhead kick that, had it been able to get through the sea of England defenders in the box, would’ve been tremendous.

He’s scored them before at the Azteca, but this time it was perhaps best to try something less audacious.

As 11 minutes of stoppage time ticked on, Mexico ended up playing 10 v. 10 with forward Santi Gimenez suffering an ankle injury but dragging himself off the field so El Tri could play on.

That led to some surreal scenes as Mexico took a corner while Gimenez, clearly in actual pain, writhed around just off the field.

Finally, the medical staff was able to attend to him, with Aguirre noting after the game that Gimenez had to go to the hospital for studies.
takes a fall post-match

Already in the referee’s book despite not coming onto the pitch, Jordan Henderson might also have suffered a serious wrist injury without playing in the game.

After singing “Wonderwall” and celebrating with the England fans, Henderson tried to go back over the advertising boards but slipped and stayed on the ground.

The England forward can’t have sung “Wonderwall” very loudly because you could hardly hear him speak in the post-match flash interview. Kane’s voice strained and squeaked as he tried to get out praise for the traveling supporters.

We’re speechless as well after that one. What a game. What a World Cup. We’ve got a dozen games left, and we’ll have them all covered here on USA TODAY Sports.