It wasn’t pretty, but we showed character – Pickford

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It wasn’t pretty, but we showed character – Pickford

BBC Sport · 2 days ago

Mexico
Mexico
2
FIFA WC26
2-3
Finished
England
England
3

Key moments
  1. 1'

    Yellow card
    Declan RICE (England) is booked by
  2. 36'

    Goal
    Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!!
  3. 38'

    Goal
    Jude BELLINGHAM (England) scores!!
  4. 42'

    Goal
    Julian QUINONES (Mexico) scores!!
  5. 54'

    Red card
    Jarell QUANSAH (England) is sent off!
  6. 68'

    Yellow card
    Marc GUEHI (England) is booked by
  7. 71'

    Yellow card
    Jorge SANCHEZ (Mexico) is booked by
  8. 72'

    Yellow card
    Nico OREILLY (England) is booked by
  9. 90'+8'

    Yellow card
    Johan VASQUEZ (Mexico) is booked by
  10. 90'+8'

    Yellow card
    Jordan HENDERSON (England) is booked by
Squads
Mexico squad
  • Selected
  • 1 Raul RANGEL
    Goalkeeper
  • 2 Jorge SANCHEZ
    Defender
  • 3 Cesar MONTES
    C Defender
  • 5 Johan VASQUEZ
    Defender
  • 6 Erik LIRA
    Midfielder
  • 7 Luis ROMO
    Midfielder
  • 9 Raul JIMENEZ
    Forward
  • 16 Julian QUINONES
    Forward
  • 19 Gilberto MORA
    Midfielder
  • 23 Jesus GALLARDO
    Defender
  • 25 Roberto ALVARADO
    Forward
  • 4 Edson ALVAREZ
    Defender
  • 8 Alvaro FIDALGO
    Midfielder
  • 10 Alexis VEGA
    Forward
  • 11 Santiago GIMENEZ
    Forward
  • 12 Carlos ACEVEDO
    Goalkeeper
  • 13 Guillermo OCHOA
    Goalkeeper
  • 14 Armando GONZALEZ
    Forward
  • 15 Israel REYES
    Defender
  • 17 Orbelin PINEDA
    Midfielder
  • 18 Obed VARGAS
    Midfielder
  • 20 Mateo CHAVEZ
    Defender
  • 21 Cesar HUERTA
    Forward
  • 22 Guillermo MARTINEZ
    Forward
  • 24 Luis CHAVEZ
    Midfielder
  • 26 Brian GUTIERREZ
    Midfielder
England squad
  • Selected
  • 1 Jordan PICKFORD
    Goalkeeper
  • 2 Ezri KONSA
    Defender
  • 3 Nico OREILLY
    Defender
  • 4 Declan RICE
    Midfielder
  • 6 Marc GUEHI
    Defender
  • 7 Bukayo SAKA
    Forward
  • 8 Elliot ANDERSON
    Midfielder
  • 9 Harry KANE
    C Forward
  • 10 Jude BELLINGHAM
    Midfielder
  • 18 Anthony GORDON
    Forward
  • 26 Jarell QUANSAH
    Defender
  • 5 John STONES
    Defender
  • 11 Marcus RASHFORD
    Forward
  • 12 Trevoh CHALOBAH
    Defender
  • 13 Dean Henderson
    Goalkeeper
  • 14 Jordan HENDERSON
    Midfielder
  • 15 Dan BURN
    Defender
  • 16 Kobbie MAINOO
    Midfielder
  • 17 Morgan ROGERS
    Midfielder
  • 19 Ollie WATKINS
    Forward
  • 20 Noni MADUEKE
    Forward
  • 21 Eberechi EZE
    Midfielder
  • 22 Ivan TONEY
    Forward
  • 23 James TRAFFORD
    Goalkeeper
  • 24 Reece JAMES
    Defender
  • 25 Djed SPENCE
    Defender

England secured a 3-2 victory over Mexico in their World Cup 2026 encounter, a win that manager and players acknowledged lacked elegance or flowing football. The match remained competitive throughout, with both sides creating dangerous moments that required intervention in goal.

Jordan Pickford, England's goalkeeper, played a decisive role in the triumph by making two critical saves at moments when the match hung in balance. Rather than dwelling on the performance's stylistic shortcomings, Pickford framed the result as a demonstration of the team's mental strength and resolve—qualities that proved more valuable than polished passing or controlled possession on this occasion.

  • England defeated Mexico 3-2 in a World Cup 2026 match that lacked tactical polish but demonstrated defensive resilience
  • Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made two crucial saves to secure victory, highlighting England's determination despite an untidy performance
  • The result showcased character and character determination over aesthetic play

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