Harry Kane makes World Cup history in England's best ever win on foreign soil

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Harry Kane became the first player in history to score and concede a penalty in a single FIFA World Cup match during England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico.

Thomas Tuchel’s side claimed a historic win at the Azteca Stadium to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to a first-half brace from Jude Bellingham and a converted spot-kick from Kane.

However, the game wasn’t without drama, with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah sent off for a reckless challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the second-half and Kane conceding a penalty following a late tackle on Brian Gutierrez.

England eventually hung on thanks to some heroic late defending and they will face Erling Haaland’s Norway in Miami on Saturday as they look to secure a fourth major tournament semi-final in their last five attempts.

Excluding shootouts, Kane has now scored six World Cup penalties - the most of any player in history - with his latest coming in the 60th minute against Mexico after Anthony Gordon was fouled by goalkeeper Raul Rangel.

However, nine minutes later, Raul Jimenez gave Mexico renewed hope of a comeback after Kane kicked Gutierrez inside his own penalty area. In the process, the England captain became the first player to score and concede a World Cup penalty in a single match since records began in 1966, as per Opta.

England’s best World Cup win on foreign soil

England went into their last-16 clash with Mexico after four fairly drab performances - excluding the second-half versus Croatia - and the co-hosts had been widely tipped to pull off a historic result.

Altitude was expected to play a key role, with the Azteca standing at 7,000 feet above sea level, while England faced the most hostile of home crowds, who were desperate to play their part.

Quansah’s second-half red card made England’s task even harder, but Tuchel displayed his tactical class with the substitutions of John Stones, Dan Burn and Djed Spence, and the Three Lions hung on via some immense blocks, clearances and tackles.

The first-half performance was almost flawless - with England managing the game extremely well before the first hydration break, before Bellingham netted a quick-fire brace within 98 seconds.

Meanwhile, Tuchel’s men dug in deep to get over the line in the second-half, with Jordan Pickford making a string of crucial saves and the back five limiting any space for Mexico inside the penalty area.

It was a masterclass in defending - barring Kane’s conceded penalty - and few could argue that it wasn’t England’s best World Cup win since their triumph over West Germany in the 1966 final.