Three Lions Sends Off Hosts Mexico 3-2 In Tensed Round of 16 Game.
…Jarell Quansah of England Red Carded For Viscous Foul on Jesus of Mexico.
Hosts Mexico Monday morning became the second host nation to be sent out of the 2026 World Cup tournament after Canada as the Three Lions of England gave them a 3-2 shoving in the round of 16 games at the Mexico City stadium in a weather threatened match.
Jude Bellingham scored a brace first from Nigeria’s Bukayo Saka cross he headed into goal at the 36th minute and the assist from captain Harry Keane in the 38th minute.
Saka handled the ball and the set piece was scored in the 42nd minute by Julian Quinones in the 42nd minute before the half time.
Raul Rangel fouled on Anthony Gordon of England in the box and the resultant penalty kick was scored by Keane in the 60th minute but Keane fouled on Brian Gutierrez in the box and Raul Jimenez converted it to a goal in the 69th minute for 2nd goal to Mexico. Marc Guehi of England who tried to influence the Ref not to accept the penalty was yellow carded.
The match was so tensed from the beginning as the Lions played with fear of the creator of football being sent out by a less fancied Mexico before a highly vociferous home crowd that Declan Rice opened the card records with a yellow in the first minute of play when he made a bad foul on Luis Romo of Mexico.
The dramatic match full of tension saw Bayern Leverkusen’s defender, Jarell Quansah of England get the red card in the 54th minute when he made a vicious attack on Jesus Gallardo of Mexico on the right defence area attracting a scuffle from a protesting row from the benches right on the sidelines.
48 year old Australian-Iranian former footballer himself and Referee Alireza Faghani consulted VAR which showed the studs on the shin and he flashed a direct red on Jarell.
A check on Ref Faghani shows he migrated from Iran to Australia in 2019 and had officiated at four matches, in 2018 world cup, 2022 world cup and taken the France vs Senegal 3-1 match of 16th June as well as the goalless Columbia versus Portugal match of 27th June at this 2026World Cup.
England were just lucky to have won as Mexico played far better with 23-6 shots at goal, 5-5 on target; dominated play with 66-34% ball possessions stringing almost double 465-262 passes but were caught playing rough 13-6 times where England got 4-2 yellow cards separate from the red card on Jarell but Mexico failed woefully to take advantage of the 12-2 corner kicks.
England which celebrated their victory with a gasping breathe of THANK GOD, GOD BLESS THE KING both on the pitch, at the stands and on the streets of England will meet Norway on 11th July at Miami Gardens in the quarterfinals.
Also Read:2026 World cup: Embolo, Ndoye fire Switzerland past Algeria into Round of 16
South Africa crushes Morroco 2-0 to reach Quarter Final
Today at 8pm the final before final will be played between Portugal and Spain; Belgium noting the alleged interference of President Donald Trump in making FIFA allow Folarin Balogun play them after a red card in the previous match will file out against the Yankees at 1am tomorrow Tuesday same day Argentina will play Egypt at 5pm and Switzerland will tackle Columbia at 9pm.
Patmos Media made an error that Folarin Balogun is an Arsenal FC Foward. He was actually sold out three seasons ago and is currently with AC Milan of Italy.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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#EUFA #THE FA.
