The Short Version
July 6 sent two more sides into the quarter-finals — and ended a host nation’s run and, in all likelihood, a legend’s World Cup. England beat Mexico 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at the Estadio Azteca, knocking out the co-hosts on their own iconic ground, while Spain beat Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament and, almost certainly, his World Cup career. England and Spain join Morocco, France and Norway in the last eight. Mexico and Portugal are out.
The round of 16 has already claimed Brazil and both host nations bar one, and July 6 kept the drama coming. At the Estadio Azteca, England and Mexico traded goals in a five-goal tie that ended the hosts’ World Cup; in Texas, Spain did the more clinical job, but with the bigger name on the line. By the end of the night, the quarter-final field had grown to five.
July 6 results at a glance
| Tie | Score | Venue | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs England | 2–3 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | England |
| Portugal vs Spain | 0–1 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | Spain |
Two last-16 ties, two more quarter-finalists — and the exits of a co-host and one of the game’s greatest players.
England win a thriller at the Azteca
England reached the quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, ending the co-hosts’ tournament in a five-goal contest at one of world football’s most storied venues. The Group L winners, who had already survived a scare against Congo DR and come through a strong Group L, were made to work by a Mexico side roared on by a home crowd — but their greater quality edged a breathless night.
For Mexico, it is the end of a tournament they had hoped to make their own on home soil, and the second host nation to go out in the round of 16 after Canada. For England, the reward is a place in the last eight and a sense of momentum, as the result confirmed.
Spain end Ronaldo’s Portugal
The night’s other tie carried enormous weight. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium to reach the quarter-finals — a controlled, low-margin win that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup, almost certainly the last of his career. Having beaten Croatia in the round of 32 in the farewell duel with Modrić, Ronaldo’s Portugal could not find a way past a Spain side that controlled the game with the patience its tiki-taka pedigree suggests.
Spain move into the last eight looking every bit the contenders their tournament has suggested, as the day’s coverage showed. Portugal’s exit closes the book on a golden generation’s leader at the World Cup, and on one of the defining careers the game has known.
The last eight so far
With England and Spain through, five of the eight quarter-final places are filled:
| Quarter-finalist | Round-of-16 win | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | beat Canada 3–0 | July 4 |
| France | beat Paraguay 1–0 | July 4 |
| Norway | beat Brazil 2–1 | July 5 |
| England | beat Mexico 3–2 | July 6 |
| Spain | beat Portugal 1–0 | July 6 |
The final three round-of-16 ties are played on July 7 — USA vs Belgium, Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia — to complete the quarter-final line-up, with the bracket nearly set. The pick of them is Argentina against Egypt: Lionel Messi against Mohamed Salah.
Frequently asked questions
What were the July 6 World Cup results? England beat Mexico 3-2 and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in the round of 16. Both England and Spain reached the quarter-finals; Mexico and Portugal were eliminated.
What was the Mexico vs England score? England beat host nation Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca to reach the quarter-finals, ending Mexico’s World Cup in a five-goal tie.
Did Spain knock out Ronaldo’s Portugal? Yes. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 at AT&T Stadium to reach the quarter-finals, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament and, in all likelihood, his World Cup career.
Is Mexico out of the 2026 World Cup? Yes. Mexico lost 3-2 to England in the round of 16, making them the second host nation eliminated at that stage, after Canada.
Which teams have reached the quarter-finals so far? Morocco, France, Norway, England and Spain have all reached the quarter-finals, five of the eight places filled after the July 4-6 ties.
Which teams were eliminated on July 6? Mexico and Portugal were both knocked out in the round of 16.
What round-of-16 ties are left? Three ties remain on July 7: USA vs Belgium, Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia, which will complete the quarter-final line-up.
When is Messi vs Salah? Argentina and Egypt meet in the last 16 on July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a tie featuring Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.
