'Humble' Bellingham, Kane loses it and Saka worry - 8 things you missed as England beat Mexico

England are into the World Cup quarter-finals after coming through a Mexico City thriller at the Estadio Azteca.

Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane notched from the penalty spot on a night where the back-to-back European Championship finalists faced all manner of obstacles: Kickoff was delayed by an hour, Jarell Quansah was sent off, there was a touchline fracas, VAR controversies and one heck a noisy, hostile atmosphere. Oh and the altitude. Don't forget the altitude.

In the end, Thomas Tuchel's men did what they had to do. They scored three goals, played some tidy football in parts and when they needed to really dig in and defend, they did that too - not least in the final half hour after ex-Liverpool defender Quansah was handed his marching orders.

A date with Norway in Miami is the reward as England kept their quest for World Cup glory on track, despite the best efforts of Raul Jimenez and co.

Here are EIGHT talking points from the Three Lions' 3-2 success...

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1. AttiJude

Its taken a while but my word you can bet Thomas Tuchel is loving Jude Bellingham's attitude now. He didnt like some of the histrionics from the Real Madrid star during his early tenure and said a few things about them that perhaps werent what was needed at the time, which obviously led to suggestions that Bellingham wouldnt be in his starting XI in the finals.

Simply, that was never going to be the case. As good as Morgan Rogers is and has been at Aston Villa, and as much as Tuchel likes him, Bellingham is operating on an entirely different level and the England boss knows that this side, to do what it wants to do, needs the Stourbridge-born star in it and performing at something like his best.

In the Estadio Azteca, Bellingham took centre stage. He owned the place, showed his ability, scored twice, produced moments of breathtaking quality and worked so, so hard to ensure Englands place in the last eight.

Manager and star man are on the same page. They were always going to be. And having got his No.10 back on side, the brilliance of Bellingham is now paying dividends for Tuchel. Man of the match in four of five games and giving absolutely everything for his team-mates.

"He's a global superstar for a reason, declared Anthony Gordon post-game. Hes 23. What hes achieved so far, incredible. And, more importantly, forget football, hes a one of a kind human being. So humble. Always putting the lads first. Making people feel special. I hear him talking to other players, what he says. Just an incredible human.

[England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico.]

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Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring for England vs Mexico. (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.)

2. Pickford steps up

Speaking of people showing they belong, Jordan Pickford. Equalling Peter Shiltons record of 16 matches at World Cup finals, Englands No.1 has had his place called into question after the DR Congo match, where he was no doubt unhappy with the goal he conceded.

At times hes erratic, at times he appears too desperate to be involved, and of course theres the whole hes not 6ft 6in thing, which has been used to beat him with ever since Thibaut Courtois questioned how long the reach of his arms is.

But he was an absolute beast here. Yep he conceded twice - both he could do nothing about - but when his country needed him in the Mexican capital, Pickford came up huge. Big first-half saves to deny Raul Jimenez - one up high and one down low - and some outstanding commanding of his penalty area throughout, Pickford was decisive.

Now he must focus on stopping Erling Haaland.

[Jordan Pickford has made some excellent saves so far]

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Jordan Pickford made some excellent saves on a big night for the England keeper(Image: 2026 The FA)

3. Lionheart Rice

Declan Rice isnt 100 percent. Everybody knows it. Hes managing problems that hes been playing through for a while, he was in considerable pain after the Congo win and hell probably do little other than recover from this game before Saturdays meeting with Norway.

But what a warrior he is. It was Rice who played a pivotal role in opening this game up for England, getting the ball from Pickford and driving forwards 60 yards for what would ultimately become Bellinghams opener. It was Rice who was shutting down fires in front of his defence. It was Rice helping out full-backs on either side, be it by showing for the ball to get his team moving or helping to block runners or stop opposition danger men from creating two-vs-one situations. With 10 men, there was never a hint that he could potentially come off, the margins were just too tight.

He was booked - perhaps harshly - inside the opening minute but then never looked like picking up a second yellow. After Kanes substitution it was he wearing the captains armband as the full time whistle was blown.

4. Can't ignore Saka worry

Another Arsenal player not fully fit and managing a problem is Bukayo Saka. He came into the tournament with an achilles issue and its kept him out of the starting lineup until the meeting with Mexico.

Like Rice, Saka is trying to grit it out and play through the pain. The problem is that Saka is a player who needs to be able to accelerate and change speed, who needs to use his bursts to work a yard or get away from a defender. An injured achilles only makes that much more difficult.

And unfortunately its showing. He had his say here, teeing up the opening goal after Rice sent him away from his man. But getting by his man through a change of pace himself? Its not happening right now. It wasnt a surprise when, when England went down to 10 men, he was sacrificed.

Hopefully, more days rest and physio ahead of the last eight can help things feel a little better, a little easier. But with five games down, its a worry that maybe we just arent going to see the best of him this tournament.

[Bukayo Saka's achilles issue is still appearing to be a problem]

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Bukayo Saka's achilles issue is still appearing to be a problem(Image: 2026 MB Media)

5. Curse of the right-backs

Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah. Ezri Konsa ended the night playing there in a back five.

The right-back situation is a big problem. Yet England are continuing to muddle through.

Tuchel will hope Reece James is OK to play at the weekend. Quansah will be suspended after his red card - which for all the fury, it was the right decision - while Djed Spence did well coming on at left-back here, but his DR Congo display is very much there at the forefront of minds. Bringing in John Stones and pushing Konsa to right-back to deal with Antonio Nusa, Norways dangerous winger, has to be an option this weekend.

6. Big Dan Burn proves Tuchel right

Much was made of the players Tuchel elected not to bring and some of the players he did. Harry Maguire being out when Dan Burn was included was one big talking point.

Some of the more derisory comments about Burn have been that hes in the squad because hes just a good passenger. Hes happy to merely be there. Maguire wouldnt have been so happy playing second fiddle.

Well, hopefully the big Geordie shoved a few of those claims and comments back down peoples throats. With England down to 10 men, he got the SOS call from his manager. England dont need Burn when theyre pushing on, defending high on the halfway line and attacking teams. You know where they do need him? When their backs are against the wall and theyve got to put bodies on the line to keep the ball out of their own net by any means necessary (within the laws of the game, of course).

Tuchel does things his way and at 3-2 up and a man down, his way was to shut it down. That meant a back five that barely moved away from its own penalty area, effectively a diamond in front of it - Rice at the base, Kane the tip, with Bellingham and Gordon on either side - and attacking yeah not so much. And that meant Burn.

He only came on in the 75th minute, but he made the joint most clearances of anyone. He did what his manager knows he will do. And while Tuchel might continue to be getting questions over certain facets of his squad - namely the right-back situation - nobody will be questioning his selection of the Newcastle United giant anymore.

[Thomas Tuchel and Dan Burn celebrate]

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Thomas Tuchel and Dan Burn celebrate(Image: 2026 The FA)

7. Don't mess with Anthony Barry

Hes been brought into national prominence the England assistant boss because hes been the man giving his thoughts in the half-time flash interviews that have been brought in by FIFA at this tournament.

He doesnt hold back in those. And Mexico learned that he doesnt hold back on the touchline either.

As the Mexican bench roared and harangued the fourth official to get Quansah sent off, a fuming Barry got right in the mix to have his say and to give Englands side of the equation.

Obviously it didnt count for much as Quansah was dismissed after VAR intervened. But it says everything about the England players and staff. Theyre up for the fight, whether the odds are in their favour or not.

8. Kane loses it.

Thankfully were only talking about his voice.

What a penalty he took. Unerring. No messing. Old faithful, pump the legs, right instep, drilled inside the keepers right hand post.

He'll be looking forward to facing Norway and a certain No.9 this weekend. Probably the two best out-and-out centre-forwards on the planet right now.

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