England have secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, overcoming a second half red card to see off Mexico on a 3-2 scoreline at the Azteca Stadium.
The game was subjected to one-hour kick-off delay due to thunderstorms in Mexico City, with the crowd in raucous mood by the time kick-off rolled around.
The anthem was among the loudest you are likely to hear before any football match.
The Azteca is feckin’ hopping so it is 🔥pic.twitter.com/18OaWk1e14
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 6, 2026
Once the game kicked off, Mexico were the side who seemed intent on upping the tempo. They attempted to inject some pace into their play, although they did struggle to break England down.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were content to sit back and absorb pressure, although Jordan Pickford was forced to make one excellent save from Raul Jimenez.
England would then score a quick fire double to open up a 2-0 lead, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals.
🇲🇽 0-2 🏴
Like London buses, you wait 30 minutes for one, and two come along in quick succession as Jude Bellingham doubles England’s lead within seconds of the opener.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026
However, there was still some life in Mexico.
Mexico and England play out World Cup thriller
They scored a goal of their own a few minutes later to ensure they were still within touching distance heading into the interval.
🇲🇽 1-2 🏴
Mexico are right back in it, Ezri Konsa fails to clear a Mexican free kick, and Julian Quinones is on hand to fire one past Pickford.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026
That was only the start of the drama.
England would be reduced to ten men early in the second half after a horror challenge from Jarell Quansah resulted in a straight red card.
However, the English would then double their lead soon after. Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was brought down in the box.
Mexico would have a penalty of their own soon after. Kane was the one to give it away, with Raul Jimenez scoring the spot kick.
🇲🇽 2-3 🏴
Mexico cut the gap to one again. Harry Kane gives away a penalty and Raul Jimenez coolly converts
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 6, 2026
The hosts would push hard for an equaliser over the remainder of the game. Despite their one man advantage and a barrage on the England box in the closing stages, they would never quite manage to carve out any clear openings.
In the end, England would secure a famous win and set up a quarter-final against Norway.
Alan Shearer criticised for Mexico vs England comments
This was a monumental victory for England, with emotions understandably running high during the game. Still, there was one particular part of the BBC broadcast of the game that seemed to annoy viewers.
Alan Shearer was in the commentary booth for the game, display a remarkable level of bias throughout the clash.
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One of the most obvious instances came during Jarell Quansah’s red card in the second half. On that occasion, he initially suggested that the tackle was a fair one and that the Mexico bench were out of order for their strong reaction to the incident.
Shearer would eventually change his tune after the red card was given, suggesting he could understand why the referee reversed his decision.
He was not quite as magnanimous about the penalty that followed soon after.
After another VAR check, it was adjudged that Harry Kane had taken down the Mexican player in the box. The decision seemed obvious, with even BBC refereeing expert Darren Cann saying that the official had no option but to award the penalty.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: PENALTY FOR MEXICO AFTER A FOUL BY HARRY KANE!
PENALTY FOR MEXICO! pic.twitter.com/ROB594brWi
— Aku🪙 (@JoshuaJ78129) July 6, 2026
This did not stop Shearer from heavily criticising the call, saying that England should feel aggrieved to have the decision go against them.
Ironically, the incident was almost identical to the one that saw England be given a penalty after a foul from Luka Modric earlier in the tournament. We assume the former Newcastle man had no such complaints on that occasion.
In short, quite a few viewers were fed up with his clear bias over the course of the game.
‘That’s a fantastic tackle, I have no idea what Mexico are complaining about’ says Alan Shearer before a replay shows the most obvious red card challenge you’ve ever seen.
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer would give pain killers a sore head. That’s a stone waller ya baldy hotdog, chatting out his arse
— Manpreet 🏴 (@ManpreetPTFC_V5) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer is the biggest homer in the world.
— Jamie Keith (@JamieKeith27) July 6, 2026
The way Alan Shearer ignores blatant fouls kills me😭😭😭he did this in the Ghana game too
— Chiddy 🇳🇬 (@chiddyafc) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer “That’s not a foul”
VAR “Red card”
Alan Shearer “That’s not a penalty”
VAR “Penalty”
£400k of licence fee on this bloke. #ENGMEX #England pic.twitter.com/gQNH9e8QYs
— South Stand Pies (@SouthStandPies) July 6, 2026
Alan shearer – “I don’t believe that’s a clear and obvious error. The referee didn’t see it”
So a clear and obvious error then?
English commentators are insufferable
— Franktheforextank (@Franktheforext1) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer thanks for ruining such a great game with the WORST commentary ive ever heard.
— Yazz LFC (@YazzLFC) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer should never spend a minute on commentary again.
Absolutely disgraceful
— ジェームズ ⚡️🏴 (@MaedaMealOfThat) July 6, 2026
Alan Shearer is unbearable btw, Kane has kicked the back of his foot and Shearer is acting like he’s done nothing wrong, but if it were a Mexico player on Kane he’d say clear penalty
— Chris (@Chris_Wriiight) July 6, 2026
Alan shearer has been unbearable to listen to this World Cup.
— Sellick (@Idaheanacho) July 6, 2026
England will now prepare for a World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday evening, with the Scandanavians overcoming Brazil in their last-16 clash on Sunday evening.
If it is half as entertaining as this game, football fans will be in for a treat.