Harry Kane penalty restores England's two-goal lead against Mexico

Harry Kane's penalty restored England's two-goal cushion and made it 3-1 against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, turning back a brief Mexican response in the World Cup round of 16. The spot kick was Kane's third goal of the tournament and the strike that put England back in control after Mexico had begun to build momentum.

The match came in the knockout stage of the World Cup 2026, which is being played from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico and the United States. England reached the last 16 after Kane scored twice late against Congo DR on July 1, and FIFA had already identified the 32-year-old captain as England's central attacking force heading into the tie.

The backdrop at the Azteca gave the moment added force. England returned to Mexico City, where FIFA had pointed back to one of the national team's most famous defeats, the 1986 quarter-final against Argentina and Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal. In the same stadium, the pressure of the occasion again hung over England, but Kane's penalty cut through a Mexico surge and reasserted England's hold on the match.

Mexico had found a spell of life before the spot kick, but it did not last long enough to change the course of the game. Kane's finish from 12 yards gave England the third goal they needed to keep the margin comfortable and forced Mexico back into chase mode. For England, it was another sign that Kane remains the player most likely to steady them when a knockout match threatens to swing.