.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
England's 2-1 win over DR Congo earned them a Round of 16 clash against Mexico, who beat Ecuador 2-0 to claim a first World Cup knockout win for four decades.
The meeting is an eye-catching one, with England aiming to continue their push for a first World Cup title since 1966, while Mexico will hope to make it five wins out of five on home soil at this tournament.
The Three Lions and El Tri have met several times before, including at the World Cup, but knockout-stage stakes add a different edge to this latest meeting.
Can England's tournament experience prove decisive? Or will Mexico use home advantage to produce a famous result? The Sporting News delves into the history of England vs Mexico.
2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets
England vs. Mexico history
England and Mexico have met regularly over the years, but competitive meetings between the two nations have been few and far between, with the majority of their encounters coming in international friendlies.
The Three Lions hold the advantage in the overall head-to-head record, although Mexico has enjoyed occasional success, including a 1-0 victory in a friendly at the Azteca Stadium in 1985.
The teams have faced each other just once at the FIFA World Cup. That meeting came during the group stage of the 1966 tournament, when goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt earned England a 2-0 victory at Wembley. Alf Ramsey's side went on to lift the World Cup for the only time in their history.
Their most recent meeting came in a pre-World Cup friendly in May 2010, when England ran out 3-1 winners at Wembley. Now, for the first time, the two nations will meet in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a place in the quarterfinals on the line.
England vs. Mexico head-to-head
England vs. Mexico head-to-head
England hold the edge in the all-time series, winning six of their nine previous meetings with Mexico. El Tri have won twice, while the remaining match ended in a draw.
The teams have met just once at the FIFA World Cup, with England recording a 2-0 victory during the group stage of the 1966 tournament.
England vs. Mexico: Last five meetings
| Date | Competition | Result | Scorers |
| May 24, 2010 | International Friendly | England 3 Mexico 1 | King (17), Crouch (34), G. Johnson (47); Franco (45+3) |
| May 25, 2001 | International Friendly | England 4 Mexico 0 | Scholes (3), Fowler (14), Beckham (29), Sheringham (74) |
| March 29, 1997 | International Friendly | England 2 Mexico 0 | Sheringham (18), Fowler (54) |
| May 17, 1986 | International Friendly | England 3 Mexico 0 | Hateley (22), Beardsley(30), Hateley (75) |
| June 9, 1985 | City Tournament | Mexico 1 England 0 | Flores (20) |
Last England vs. Mexico match
The most recent meeting between England and Mexico came in a World Cup warm-up friendly at Wembley in May 2010, just weeks before the tournament in South Africa.
England ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson. Guillermo Franco pulled one back for Mexico on the stroke of halftime, but Fabio Capello's side proved too strong after the break.
While that fixture was only a friendly, the two nations now prepare to meet with far greater stakes, as a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals hangs in the balance.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:
English (US)