World Cup 2026 analysis: Looking at England’s magnificent Mexico win and five of England’s most iconic World Cup victories
Thomas Tuchel’s England reached new heights as they beat Mexico 3-2 on Monday to set up a quarter-final tie against Norway.
Despite being the far better team on paper, many had suggested England would struggle to win against a Mexico side co-hosting the World Cup and playing in their iconic Azteca Stadium, with its extreme conditions and unrelenting atmosphere.
Jude Bellingham put England 2-0 up after a brace in two minutes, but Julian Quinones pulled one back before half-time to give the Mexicans hope.
Despite Jarell Quansah’s red card, when Harry Kane scored a penalty in the second half to make it 3-1 England looked safe, until Raul Jimenez converted from the penalty spot.
What followed after his goal just before the 70th minute, was a display of true grit from a ten-man England side as they held out for a famous victory.
The game is being heralded as one of England’s greatest at a World Cup.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Hibbert takes a look at five other England World Cup matches that challenge the greatness of England’s evening in Mexico City.
Before we kick off the list, it is worth noting that there is only one game allowed per tournament - after all it would be far too easy to put the run of 1966 forward.
England vs Colombia - Last 16, 2018
England headed to the World Cup in Russia hoping things could only get better after finishing bottom of the group in 2014.
With Gareth Southgate at the helm, England had finished second in their group behind Belgium, setting up a tie with Colombia in the last 16.
England looked like they were through thanks to a Harry Kane penalty just before the hour mark, until Yerry Mina equalised in added time.
After no change to the 1-1 scoreline in extra-time the game headed for a penalty shootout, something that England fans would dread after losing on penalties in 1990, 1998 and 2006.
It looked as though it would be a similar story for England when Jordan Henderson was the first player to be denied from the spot.
Colombia, however, would miss their last two penalties, as Luis Muriel hit the woodwork and Carlos Bacca was stopped by Pickford as England progressed.
Whilst it wasn’t the most scintillating game of football, a Three Lions victory in a penalty shootout was something no fan had seen before and set the tone for a new era of English football.
England vs Argentina - Group stage, 2002
All things considered, a group stage victory doesn’t seem like it should live long in the memory of a football fan.
But when Argentina beat England on penalties in 1998, a match between the two in the 2002 World Cup would be a chance for England to get revenge.
An England team stacked with talent looked like it could find a moment from anywhere, but on this occasion it had to be David Beckham.
Beckham, who captained the game in 2002, was shown a red card in 1998 for kicking out against Diego Simeone.
It meant that when the Englishman had the chance to put England ahead from the spot before half-time, there would be added weight on his shoulders.
But when he put England in front, it somewhat made up for the incident four years prior.
It meant the Three Lions came second in the group and reached the quarter-finals where they were narrowly beaten by an iconic Brazil side.
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England vs Cameroon - Quarter-final, 1990
Italia ‘90 is well remembered for many reasons by England fans, with one of those being the thrilling victory over a Cameroon side led by Roger Milla.
It was the first time England had met an African side in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
Sir Bobby Robson’s Three Lions took the lead thanks to David Platt, before Cameroon found a couple of goals to go 2-1 up.
It wasn’t until Gary Lineker stepped up to convert a penalty in the 83rd minute that England got themselves back in a tough fought match.
It was perhaps the nature of the match, with it being such an unforeseen test that made it more special for England.
As the game went to extra-time, Lineker would yet again step up from the spot, to send England through in a thriller that finished 3-2.
Despite the scare, a semi-final set up against Germany made the win more special for England fans - but the less said about that game the better.
England vs Poland - Group stage, 1986
With only one game per tournament permitted in this list, it means we skip over David Platt’s 119th minute winner against Belgium in the last 16 of the 1990 World cup.
It does mean that we’re back in Mexico for the 1986 tournament, where England were defeated by Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the quarter-finals.
The Three Lions had suffered a defeat to Portugal in their opening group stage game, before drawing with Morocco.
It meant that there was plenty riding on the final group game with Poland, as only the top two spots guaranteed progression to the knockouts.
With England yet to score a goal in their first two group games, a Gary Lineker first half hat-trick sent the fans in the ground wild.
Whilst not the most glamorous fixture, or hard fought victory, England handling the pressure so comfortably is something that is rarely seen in the white shirt of the Three Lions.
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England vs West Germany - Final, 1966
Whilst England have often struggled in white, it is in red which brought the nation its greatest footballing triumph.
A game determined by moments, it is hard to find a more iconic day in football history than the day England were crowned world champions at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Whilst the other games in the list have included wins in big games, or top-notch performances, only this one combines all the elements of a great football match into one.
A goal from Martin Peters amongst a hat-trick from Sir Geoff Hurst saw England win 4-2 after extra-time to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.
It remains the only time England have been crowned champions of the footballing world.
60 years on, an iconic performance in one of football’s most spectacular arenas has left England fans hoping the players can recreate the magic of Bobby Moore and his men.
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