Jude Bellingham scored twice in the first half as England beat Mexico 3-2 in a breathless World Cup classic at Mexico City Stadium – but the victory was overshadowed by a controversial penalty decision that left Alan Shearer crying 'goodness me'.
Referee Alireza Faghani initially waved away Mexico appeals when Brian Gutierrez went down under Harry Kane’s challenge. But after being sent to the pitchside monitor, he awarded the penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.
“England beat Mexico 3-2 with Bellingham double, but Shearer calls penalty 'wrong' and Quansah sent off.”
Speaking on BBC commentary, Shearer disagreed. “Kane does clip the player's foot in there but that is not enough to give a penalty for me,” he said. “That's a kick of the foot, that's not a penalty for me. He does clip his foot but not enough to give a penalty away, goodness me.”
Former Premier League official Darren Cann, however, believed the correct call was made. “It is a penalty. Kane unfortunately does kick the Mexico player's foot,” Cann said. “It is a little bit similar to the Modric kick which England got a penalty for in the first group game.”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart agreed: “I think the referee has come to the right decision on all three [both penalties and the red card]. I felt every single one, as soon as I saw the replays my heart was in my mouth. Quansah deserved to go, Kane didn't get the ball and Gordon got to the ball first.”
Jarell Quansah was sent off after a VAR review for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, which sparked a furious reaction from the Mexico bench. Shearer described the scene: “It's all going off on the touchline, they're scrapping, they're punching, they're doing whatever because the Mexican bench they think it was a terrible tackle from Quansah.”
Despite the setbacks, Bellingham’s brace helped England secure the win and set up a quarter-final against Norway. The victory was hailed by former captain Wayne Rooney as “one of England's greatest results” and a “perfect” display.
The celebrations, however, came at a cost. Midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered a huge injury blow, requiring a stretcher after tripping over advertising hoardings during England's post-match celebrations.
England will now face Norway in the last eight, with the team hoping to maintain their momentum despite the injuries and the contentious decisions that marred their passage.