The First Rest Day of the Tournament since 11 June. Cancun RnR…

Cancun around half-way in almost a straight line from Mexico City to Miami so it made sense to enjoy the first rest day of the competition – resting… Except it was a bit lively in places… and what are 60 year olds doing at a foam party?

Nearly a month since the tournament begun. Some having to work at home at the airport on the way to Miami this morning…

England v Mexico, Azteca Stadium, Mexico City

40 years on from Maradona and the Hand of God cheated goal, England are back in the Azteca (where only 2 teams have ever beaten Mexico). It doesn’t get any better than this – except one day maybe it will….

England 3–2 Mexico — World Cup last 16, Estadio Azteca, Saturday 5 July 2026. Attendance 80,824

England booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic 3–2 win over Mexico at the Azteca. Jude Bellingham scored twice in the first half to put England in control, before Mexico hit back through Julián Quiñones just before the break. Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot on the hour, but Mexico made it a tense finish when Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty after England had been reduced to 10 men. England then dug in to see it out and set up a quarter-final with Norway.  

Scorers

England

• Jude Bellingham 36’
• Jude Bellingham 38’
• Harry Kane 60’ pen

Mexico

• Julián Quiñones 42’
• Raúl Jiménez 69’ pen  

England XI

Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, Marc Guéhi, Jarell Quansah, Lewis Hall; Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon.

England subs used: Morgan Rogers, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eberechi Eze, Levi Colwill, Curtis Jones.  

Mexico XI

Luis Malagón; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Johan Vásquez, Jesús Gallardo; Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, Marcel Ruiz; Roberto Alvarado, Raúl Jiménez, Julián Quiñones.

Mexico subs used: Orbelín Pineda, Santiago Giménez, Alexis Vega, César Huerta, Erik Lira.  

Back to Nashville for the 250 Independence Day Celebrations

Back in the minibus back to Nashville….

A 20 minute turnaround and straight out to watch the USA game followed by more drinks around Broadway.

An 06:30 start the next day, a classic American Breakfast and then a 4 hour off road adventure in 4×4 buggies across rural Tennessee. Another 20 minute shower and change (and dry out after torrential rain) then to Husk a very upmarket top restaurant in town then on to the craziest night on Broadway as the holiday weekend got going…

Then a boat out on the Cumberland River (picking us up on our private jetty) and out on to the lake. Swimming, beers, BBQs, Fireworks – an absolute belter of a day. One of the best in 40 years of watching England – despite a 04:00 start on Sunday to get to Mexico…

England v DR Congo, Atlanta

Stifling heat and humidity so the covered Atlanta Stadium was very welcome. A noon kick off meant no long lunch too (although we were on the beers by 09:30). Could have been a disaster but somehow Harry Kane rescued us as we managed to beat Doctor Congo!

Match Report

England 2–1 DR Congo
World Cup Round of 32 – Atlanta

• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
• Attendance: 68,239

Brief match summary
England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2–1 after a nervy display. DR Congo shocked them early through Brian Cipenga, and England struggled for long spells against a very organised side. Harry Kane then rescued it late on with two goals in the final quarter of the match to send England through to the last 16.  

Goalscorers

• 7’ – Brian Cipenga (DR Congo)
• 75’ – Harry Kane (England)
• 86’ – Harry Kane (England)  

England starting XI
Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham; Noni Madueke, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford.  

DR Congo starting XI
Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngal’ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku; Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa.  

England substitutes used

• 61’ – Anthony Gordon for Marcus Rashford
• 61’ – Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke
• 70’ – Eberechi Eze for Djed Spence
• 81’ – Morgan Rogers for Elliot Anderson
• 81’ – Curtis Jones for Declan Rice  

Atlanta Road Trip

Around a 4 hour drive down to Atlanta from Nashville (a bit longer with loo stops and lunch at the famous Buc-ee’s with the largest gas station we have ever seen).

Armed with a massive cooler full of iced beers we battled the traffic and arrived at our 72 storey hotel – and then straight out on the beers to the nearest dive bar with great live music and lots of Oasis once again…