06/07/2026 13:54 - Deportes
Round of 16 - World Cup 2026
July 5, 2026, will be etched in the memory of world football. At the legendary Estadio Azteca—the iconic stadium in Mexico City located at a high altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet) above sea level, which historically challenges visiting teams' stamina—England and Mexico played a thrilling Round of 16 match in the 2026 World Cup. Due to an intense electrical storm, the kickoff was delayed by an hour, moving from 21:00 to 22:00 hours, adding even more tension to the buildup.
The weather conditions and the altitude dictated the early pace, but the floodgates opened near the end of the first half.
Red Card: Jarell Quansah (England) was sent off after a VAR review in the second half. England had to hold on with a man down for a large portion of the second half.
Injury: Jordan Henderson suffered an injury while celebrating one of the goals, a bittersweet moment for the British squad.
Man of the Match: Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was crucial, saving everything that came his way during the agonizing final minutes.
For England, winning at the Estadio Azteca holds a special meaning. This very stadium was the stage of England's elimination in the 1986 World Cup against Argentina, in the unforgettable quarterfinal match that included Diego Maradona's famous 'Goal of the Century'. With this victory, the squad managed by Thomas Tuchel breaks that negative streak and writes a new golden page in their history.
Meanwhile, the Mexican host team, led by veteran manager Javier Aguirre, was eliminated once again in the Round of 16, extending their infamous streak of never reaching the quarterfinals when hosting or playing on home soil.
England now has a rival for the quarterfinals: they will face an inspired Norway, who just pulled off a massive upset by eliminating Brazil 2-1 with a brace from Erling Haaland. A spectacular clash is on the horizon for the 2026 World Cup!
Source: Filo.news
Alfredo S. Quiroga
