Trump praises Kane as 10-man England survive Mexico scare to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Harry Kane’s penalty sealed a 3-2 victory for 10-man England over co-hosts Mexico in a pulsating World Cup last-16 tie at the Azteca in Mexico City, booking Thomas Tuchel’s side a quarter-final meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway — and earning the England captain an unlikely admirer in US president Donald Trump.

Jude Bellingham’s quick-fire first-half brace had given England a commanding lead before Julián Quiñones pulled one back for Mexico just before the break. Kane restored the two-goal cushion on the hour, converting from the spot after Anthony Gordon was fouled by goalkeeper Raul Rangel.

The match then swung dramatically. Kane conceded a penalty of his own — kicking Brian Gutierrez inside the England box — and Raul Jimenez converted to make it 3-2 in the 69th minute. England were already down to ten men by that point, right-back Jarell Quansah having been shown a red card in the 54th minute, and they were forced to withstand relentless Mexican pressure for the final 20-plus minutes.

They held on, securing what many are calling one of the most extraordinary results in England’s World Cup history — arguably their finest since lifting the trophy in 1966.

Kane’s winner was his sixth goal of this tournament and the 14th of his World Cup career. Among those moved to comment was Trump, who posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday morning: “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!”

It was not the president’s only World Cup intervention. Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun during America’s last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Balogun appeared to make accidental contact with defender Tarik Muharemovic before being dismissed.

On Sunday, FIFA’s disciplinary committee announced it was applying Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code to suspend the red card, meaning Balogun will only serve his one-game ban if he commits a similar offence within the next 12 months. Trump welcomed the decision, writing on Truth Social: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”