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England player ratings: Bellingham stars in Mexico winJude Bellingham scored twice as England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. BBC Sport's Alex Howell rates the players' performances at the Azteca./images/2026/07/england-player-ratings-bellingham-stars-in-mexico-win-5a6d2fa0-800w.webpEngland player ratings: Bellingham stars in Mexico win

England player ratings: Bellingham stars in Mexico win

Updated 3 min read
Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring for England against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in a World Cup match. — latest news and analysis.

Short overview

Jude Bellingham scored twice as England beat Mexico 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. BBC Sport's Alex Howell rates the players' performances at the Azteca.

England secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham delivered another iconic performance with two goals, while Harry Kane scored a crucial penalty and provided an assist. However, the win was marred by a red card for Jarell Quansah after a VAR review. BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell assesses how the players performed.

Starting XI

Jordan Pickford: 7/10

Pickford made a crucial early save from a diving header by Raul Jimenez, preventing Mexico from taking the lead in the atmospheric Azteca. He was called upon again just before half-time to produce an acrobatic stop to deny Jimenez when Mexico were pushing for an equalizer at 2-1.

Jarell Quansah: 5/10

Quansah's night ended early after being sent off following a VAR review for a high challenge. The right-back had been putting in a good performance before his dismissal.

Ezri Konsa: 7/10

Konsa had a testing evening as part of a backline under constant pressure. His attempted clearance from a free-kick fell to Julian Quinones, who scored to give Mexico a route back into the match. However, the Aston Villa defender also provided crucial clearances as England ground out the win.

Marc Guehi: 7/10

Guehi took the ball in tight areas under pressure as England sought to kill Mexico's momentum in the first half. He stood up to the test as Mexico threw everything at England.

Nico O'Reilly: 7/10

This was O'Reilly's best performance of the World Cup. The left-back flashed a dangerous cross across the box and slammed a volley against the post. He was taken off after picking up a yellow card and as England switched to a back five.

Declan Rice: 7/10

Rice's powerful running was a major weapon for England, and his burst from his own half to the edge of the Mexico box led to England taking the lead. He showed incredible discipline after picking up a yellow card in the first minute.

Elliot Anderson: 6/10

Anderson had a quieter game but did not detract from the importance of his role for England. He was taken off as Thomas Tuchel changed England's shape to protect the lead.

Bukayo Saka: 7/10

When England were defending deep in the first half, Saka filled in as a right wing-back to block space around Quinones. He covered a lot of ground but still posed his usual threat going forward. His ability to take on his man and provide a quality cross was the reason England took the lead.

Jude Bellingham: 9/10

Bellingham delivered another match-winning performance for England. The Real Madrid midfielder scored two goals in two first-half minutes, putting his team in a powerful position. He continues to produce moments that make anything seem possible for the Three Lions.

Anthony Gordon: 8/10

Gordon provided an outlet behind the Mexico defence and was direct at every opportunity. His energy and pace gave England a threat, and his relentless work ethic won them a vital penalty.

Harry Kane: 8/10

Kane delivered an extremely important performance, even if it was dramatic. The England captain drilled in a penalty under immense pressure when they were down to 10 players. He also provided the assist for Bellingham's second goal but did give away a penalty.

Substitutes

John Stones (57 mins): 7/10

The hugely experienced Stones was brought on when England were down to 10 after Quansah's sending off. He provided a calming presence as things became emotional late on.

Djed Spence (74 mins): 7/10

Spence was brought on at left wing-back when England switched to a back five as they attempted to see out the win. He made a big tackle when the ball was bouncing around the penalty area.

Dan Burn (75 mins): 8/10

Burn had a huge night, coming on for his first World Cup minutes. His aerial ability was needed as Mexico hurled crosses into England's penalty area, and he made a huge block late on.

Morgan Rogers (90 mins): N/A

Rogers replaced Harry Kane late on as Tuchel looked to use his ability to run with the ball.

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