October 23, 2026 04:30 am (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Tiger Shroff, not Salman Khan, was the main target, probe reveals shocking details | Dammam airport attack: Indian killed, two compatriots injured as Saudi Arabia faces fresh strikes | ‘Among others’: Macron takes swipe at Trump over France unrest, calls foreign leaders’ remarks ‘stupid’ | ‘Specific threat-related inputs’: Delhi Police blocks Diljit Dosanjh’s Delhi concert | ‘Barbaad kare alfaz mere’: Ranbir Kapoor apologises for Dussehra gaffe in Kolkata | Delhi court releases CJP's Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after 7 days in custody | ‘We are seeing what is happening outside our country’: Delhi HC judge’s remark as CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka withdraw custody plea | Salman Khan was the original target? Tiger Shroff firing probe reveals shocking twist | ‘UN experts are an oxymoron’: Marco Rubio takes swipe at UN, refuses to comment on India's protests | ‘US ties with no country come at India's expense’: Marco Rubio addresses concerns over Pakistan, China
FIFA
England players including captain Harry Kane celebrating win over Mexico. Photo: FIFA World Cup/X

'Referee gave a lot against us': Harry Kane reacts after England's dramatic win over Mexico

| @indiablooms | Jul 06, 2026, at 12:03 pm

Mexico City/IBNS: England captain Harry Kane hailed his team's resilience after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mexico secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Mexico City Stadium on Sunday.

Kane, who scored from the penalty spot, praised the fighting spirit of the squad following a dramatic Round of 16 clash that saw England overcome a late Mexican fightback despite being reduced to 10 men.

Kane hails England's fighting spirit

Taking to X after the match, Kane wrote: "It doesn’t get much better than that! Guts and courage from every single member of this squad. Proud of this team!"

England skipper questions refereeing decisions

Speaking after the match, Kane, who admitted he had lost his voice, also questioned several refereeing decisions during the high-intensity encounter, which featured two penalties, one red card and two yellow cards.

"I am speechless. We had to find something. It was one of those days when the referee gave a lot against us, but in the end it didn't matter, so I am happy," Kane said.

Thanks fans for unwavering support

Kane also expressed his gratitude to the England supporters who turned up in large numbers for the knockout clash.

"Unbelievable support," he said, thanking the crowd.

Bellingham puts England in command

After a one-hour delay due to thunderstorms in Mexico City, England seized control of the match through Bellingham, who struck twice in quick succession in the first half to stun the home crowd.

Mexico pulled one back before the break through Julián Quiñones, ensuring the hosts remained firmly in the contest heading into halftime.

Red card shifts momentum

England's task became significantly tougher early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, England restored their two-goal cushion after Kane calmly converted a penalty.

Mexico fight back, Pickford stands tall

Mexico refused to surrender and narrowed the deficit once again when Raúl Jiménez converted from the penalty spot, setting up a tense finale.

The hosts piled on relentless pressure in the closing stages, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a string of crucial saves to preserve the lead.

England eventually held on for a 3-2 victory to progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face Norway.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.