England's Route to World Cup 2026 Final After Beating Mexico

England are another step closer to the World Cup final after a thrilling and breathless victory over Mexico. Jude Bellingham scored twice in 98 seconds to help the Three Lions on their way to a historic 3-2 victory over the co-hosts at the Estadio Azteca. Harry Kane added a third from the penalty spot, but not before Jarell Quansah had been sent off following a VAR review, leaving Thomas Tuchel’s men to play almost 45 minutes, including 11 minutes of second-half injury time, with 10 men. It was a match that will live long in the memory, especially for those devoted fans back in England who cheered on the team through the night, after a delayed 2am UK time kick-off.

Quarter-Final: Norway

Now it is into the last eight and a date with Norway, who saw off Brazil 2-1 thanks to two Erling Haaland goals. The Manchester City striker underlined his status as one of the world’s leading goalscorers by notching his sixth and seventh goals of the tournament in the final 11 minutes at the MetLife Stadium. Neymar’s stoppage-time penalty was little consolation for five-time winners Brazil, for whom Bruno Guimaraes saw an early penalty saved, as they crashed out in the last 16. Haaland will now face off with Golden Boot rival Kane in Miami on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

Semi-Final: Argentina

If England are still standing after that, then it could well be a blockbuster semi-final against holders Argentina, who cruised to the top of Group J with Messi becoming the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer and staking his claim for a first-ever Golden Boot at his sixth and surely last finals. Lionel Scaloni’s side meet surprise package Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday, a match they will be expected to win comfortably before battling either Australia or Egypt in the last 16. They will be expected to get past either of those opponents too, with one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana then awaiting in the quarter-finals.

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Final: France

If England did manage to improve and reach a first World Cup final since 1966, it could feasibly be against the side that beat them in the 2022 quarter-finals: France, whose star-studded attack looked predictably imperious as they stormed to the top of Group I. Les Bleus brushed aside Sweden 3-0 in the last 32, with Paraguay up next after the South Americans stunned Germany 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Boston. Win that and France would be up against one of Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals after their respective last-32 wins over South Africa and the Netherlands, with Portugal, Spain, USA and Belgium among the list of possible semi-final opponents.