10-man England survive Mexico scare to set up Norway quarter-final at World Cup

England survived a frantic second-half comeback from co-hosts Mexico to win 3-2 and advance to the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, where they will face Norway after Erling Haaland’s brace eliminated five-time champions Brazil.

Jude Bellingham was the driving force in the opening stages, heading in Bukayo Saka’s cross to break the deadlock before adding a second just two minutes later after Anthony Gordon won the ball high up the pitch. England appeared to be cruising, but Julian Quinones pulled one back from a set-piece before half-time, and Jordan Pickford was called upon to keep the lead intact heading into the break.

The second half brought further chaos. Right-back Jarrel Quansah was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge, leaving Thomas Tuchel’s side to see out the game with ten men. England responded almost immediately when Anthony Gordon was fouled in the box, and Harry Kane converted the resulting penalty to restore a two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Mexico refused to fold. A second VAR-awarded penalty allowed Raul Jimenez to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale that England ultimately survived to seal their place in the last eight.

Their quarter-final opponents, Norway, produced one of the results of the tournament by beating Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring both goals. That tie is scheduled for Saturday, 11 July.

Should England progress, a semi-final on Wednesday, 15 July would pit them against one of Switzerland, Colombia, Argentina, or Egypt — four sides who contest their round-of-16 matches on Wednesday. A place in the final on Sunday, 19 July would bring a potential meeting with France, Morocco, the USA, Belgium, or Spain.