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Harry Kane gave away a penalty in the 69th minute of England’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium, and Raul Jimenez buried it. The foul on Brian Gutierrez survived a VAR review, cutting England’s lead in what was shaping up to be one of the most chaotic knockout games of the 2026 World Cup.

The match that had everything

Kane’s night was a study in contradictions. Earlier in the match, England’s captain had stepped up and converted from the penalty spot himself, marking England’s first World Cup penalty goal since 2002. That strike helped push England to a commanding 3-1 lead.

Then came the 69th minute. Kane, attempting to clear the ball in his own penalty area, caught Gutierrez with a foul that looked soft in real time but held up under VAR scrutiny. The referee pointed to the spot, and Jimenez made no mistake.

The Mexico City Stadium’s high altitude, roughly 2,240 meters above sea level, played its own invisible role. Players visibly labored in the thin air, a factor that has historically turned matches in Mexico City into attritional, unpredictable affairs.

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