Mexico City — England manager Thomas Tuchel said he “almost feels like apologizing” to Mexican fans after his team eliminated Mexico from the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 victory at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Sunday.
“We saw the passion and emotion of their people,” Tuchel told reporters. “It feels like we have to say sorry.”
The match, delayed an hour by a thunderstorm, was played before 80,000 fans in one of the world’s most demanding stadiums. Mexico had lost only twice in 89 official matches at the Azteca and had never been defeated there in 10 World Cup appearances on home soil. The final whistle blew past 4 a.m. in England.
Tuchel described the win as one of the greatest of his career. “It doesn’t feel like a round-of-16 match; it feels like we won the final,” he said. “It was a heroic result.”
England overcame Mexico City’s altitude, the hostile crowd, and more than 45 minutes with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute for a reckless challenge on Jesús Gallardo. “With will, unity, and mentality we managed to get through against everything,” Tuchel said.
The manager also highlighted the historical significance of the victory. England had suffered at the Azteca in the 1986 World Cup, when they were eliminated by Argentina in a match marked by controversy. “England’s history in this stadium was very sad; today we made peace,” Tuchel said. “We knew what it meant to beat Mexico here.”
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a looping header from Bukayo Saka’s cross and struck again two minutes later for a 2-0 lead — both goals coming in a span of 98 seconds. Harry Kane sealed the 3-1 win from the penalty spot in the 60th minute, his sixth goal of the tournament. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored for Mexico, but it was not enough.
Tuchel expressed concern for midfielder Jordan Henderson, who injured his wrist after falling into advertising boards during the celebrations. “I feel very sad because he hurt his wrist; it’s a serious injury,” Tuchel said. Kane was more cautious, saying, “He just fell there; I think he’s fine, something with his arm.”
England players celebrated with their fans at one end of the Azteca, singing “Wonderwall” by Oasis — the same band whose songs Mexican fans had booed hours earlier before the match.
Tuchel also had words for Mexico. “It’s an incredible country,” he said, acknowledging that Mexico’s elimination saddened him.
“It was a crazy match,” Kane said after the final whistle, his voice still hoarse from celebrating. “We had to fight and dig deep. The occasion, the team, everything against us, but we found a way.”
Bellingham closed the night with a statement in Spanish: “Mexico was a very, very strong team; they play with a lot of heart. The Azteca, a very historic stadium; it was a pleasure to play here against them.”
England advances to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup and will face Norway on July 11 in Miami.
