MEXICO CITY, July 6 — Co-hosts Mexico have been eliminated from the World Cup following a thrilling 3-2 defeat against a 10-man England squad in their high-stakes Round of 16 encounter.

The disappointing loss ended Mexico’s aspirations of securing a coveted spot in the quarter-finals to equal their best-ever historical finish at the global tournament, as the side failed to capitalize on a critical numerical advantage in the second half.

According to a report by German Press Agency (dpa), a rapid double-strike by Jude Bellingham in the 36th and 38th minutes handed England a comfortable early cushion. The home nation instantly retaliated just before the break when Julian Quiñones pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute to keep the fans at the Estadio Azteca dreaming.

The intensity spiked dramatically after halftime when English defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card and dismissed from the pitch in the 54th minute. Despite playing with a man down, England extended their lead just six minutes later. Team captain Harry Kane clinical stepped up to convert a 60th-minute penalty after Anthony Gordon was upended inside the box.

Mexico refused to surrender quietly and threw numbers forward, earning a penalty of their own in the 69th minute. Veteran forward Raul Jimenez calmly stepped up and buried the spot-kick to narrow the gap to a single goal. However, England’s defensive line successfully weathered the subsequent late onslaught to preserve the hard-fought victory.

With this crucial win, the English squad continues its ambitious pursuit of a first global crown since their legendary 1966 triumph. They are now slated to face a confident Norway side in the quarter-finals, after the Scandinavians booked their own ticket by shocking five-time world champions Brazil earlier in the tournament.

-NMT