Bentley taunts Mexico fans and receives throat-slit threats during 10-man England's Azteca triumph

Former England winger David Bentley was subjected to throat-slit gestures from Mexico supporters after taunting the home crowd during England’s dramatic 2026 World Cup last-16 victory at the Estadio Azteca.

The 41-year-old, wearing a blue retro England shirt and bandana, filmed himself from high in the away section as tensions escalated around him. He had joked before kick-off: “We might not get out of here alive.”

England stormed into an early 2-0 lead, and the home support grew increasingly hostile as away fans celebrated loudly. When Mexico pulled one back, a thin police cordon struggled to keep rival supporters apart. Following Jarrell Quansah’s red card, several Mexican fans directly confronted Bentley — one gave him the middle finger before drawing a finger across his throat, while another made the same throat-cutting gesture and beckoned him forward aggressively. Bentley responded by calling the man a w****r and shared the footage on Instagram with the caption: “Red Card! Getting tasty now!”

Rangers legend Ally McCoist commented on the post: “My money was on the big yin eating you rather than slittin yer throat… ps the big yin with the Gregory’s, looks like he couldn’t fight sleep.”

Bentley had the last laugh. England held on with ten men to seal their quarter-final place, aided by a resolute defensive display that included six clearances from substitute Dan Burn, who entered the pitch in the 75th minute. Bentley subsequently posted videos of himself celebrating with England fans parading through the Azteca concourse with a trumpet and drums.

“10 men in the Azteca!” he wrote. “Might be better than ‘Bentley from the halfway line’.” The jubilant scenes continued well into the night across Mexico City.