The World Cup match in which England defeated Mexico 3-2 recorded the highest viewership for a live broadcast in the UK between 2:00 and 4:00 BST. This match reached a total of 9.1 million viewers via BBC One and BBC iPlayer, garnering significant interest despite the delayed start time. This is seen as a testament to England's passion for football and the excitement generated by the World Cup.

The match's viewership rates particularly highlight the importance of England's struggle to advance to the quarter-finals. Such major sporting events play a crucial role not only for the sport itself but also for fostering a sense of national unity and pride. This increase in viewership underscores the impact of the BBC in sports broadcasting and the audience's interest in major matches.

Additionally, this record viewership can also be seen as a reflection of the successes achieved by England's football teams on the international stage. The performances of star players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are boosting fans' interest in the matches, positively affecting the viewership numbers. These kinds of successes demonstrate that football is not just a sport but also a cultural phenomenon.