World Cup 2026 - England's historic 3-2 win over Mexico was a special moment that will live long in the memory for those watching at Lord John Russell in Southsea
Southsea football fans enjoy extraordinary night
It is not every day that you get to witness history, but that is exactly what happened for England fans who have become accustomed to disappointment over the past 60 years.
Three Lions supporters packed into pubs in the early hours of Monday morning in the hope that Thomas Tuchel’s side could overcome altitude, fervent home support, and a team that had not lost at the Azteca Stadium in a competitive match since 2013.
The News joined a number of those hopefuls crammed into the Lord John Russell on Albert Road, Southsea on Monday, July 6 to witness an extraordinary game as England beat Mexico 3-2. A Jude Bellingham brace and a Harry Kane penalty saw them claim the victory despite being down to 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s sending-off in the 54th minute.
Never mind running for over 101 minutes at 7,350 above sea level, watching the swings and roundabouts of this intense match in a Southsea pub 5,000 miles away was exhausting. Every fan in the pub headed and kicked every ball as the tension became excruciating in the 11 minutes of added time.
As England players collapsed in exhaustion, fans in Portsmouth spilled out onto Albert Road unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Cohen Hartley was still buzzing with adrenaline when he described the match as “terrifying” and the “scariest game” he had seen in his life.
Perhaps it was because it seemed to be running to a script well-read by England fans. A fast and impressive start only to be curtailed by a red card just like in 1998 and the infamous David Beckham sending-off.
That was the moment that Jimmy Payne thought the game was up.
“As soon as we went down to 10 men, that was it, I thought we were done,” he said: “The stress that we went through to come out with a win and get through to the quarter-final is amazing.”
This England team showed dogged determination and discipline to hold out against the co-hosts in front of 80,000 fans in Mexico City. It may seem like hyperbole but it was a historic performance that will go down in the annals of English football history, I don’t think anyone watching at the Lord John Russell would disagree.
That is what the eruption of noise at the final whistle indicated anyway. with the pub-goers in good voice all night despite the tension. Even the additional hour of delay due to severe weather was greeted in good spirit despite that meaning the game kicked off at 2am with many people having to go to work in a matter of hours.
The delay meant there was chance for a sing-along to Wonderwall and Sweet Caroline to tick off the major tournament bingo for England fans.
While the result against Mexico will count for nothing when the Three Lions face Norway in the quarter-final on Saturday, it was a special moment that will live long in the memory.