England secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after overcoming Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic contest at the Estadio Azteca, with Jude Bellingham producing another influential display despite his side finishing the match with 10 men.
The midfielder scored twice in the opening half before Harry Kane added a penalty after the interval as Thomas Tuchel’s side held off sustained Mexican pressure to keep alive hopes of ending their long wait for a major international trophy.
Victory sets up an intriguing last-eight meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway after England showed resilience in difficult conditions, overcoming high altitude, an intimidating home crowd and the dismissal of Jarell Quansah.
The evening began later than planned after thunderstorms and heavy rain forced organisers to delay kick-off by an hour.
Once play eventually started, more than 80,000 supporters packed the famous stadium to create a vibrant atmosphere.
Mexico started with energy and nearly took an early lead, but Jordan Pickford reacted sharply to push away Raúl Jiménez’s powerful header.
England gradually settled into the contest and struck first through Bellingham. Bukayo Saka delivered an inviting cross which the Real Madrid midfielder met with a firm header to break the deadlock.
The visitors doubled their advantage less than two minutes later. Kane’s intelligent pass found Bellingham inside the area, and the midfielder finished confidently to register his fourth goal of the tournament.
Despite England’s commanding position, Mexico refused to fade.
Julián Quiñones reduced the deficit after England failed to deal with a free-kick, giving the hosts renewed belief before half-time.
Jiménez then missed one opportunity and saw another effort denied by Pickford, while Bellingham also produced an important defensive intervention to prevent César Montes from equalising before the interval.
England came close to restoring their two-goal cushion early in the second half when Nico O’Reilly’s deflected effort struck the post.
The contest took another dramatic turn on 54 minutes when Quansah was sent off following a VAR review for a late challenge on Jesús Gallardo, leaving England to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
However, rather than retreating, Tuchel’s side extended their lead six minutes later. Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel inside the penalty area, allowing Kane to convert confidently from the spot.
Kane’s sixth goal of the tournament strengthened England’s position and moved him within one goal of the competition’s leading scorers.
Mexico were handed a route back into the match when Kane was penalised for a foul inside his own penalty area. Jiménez calmly converted from the spot to make it 3-2 and set up a tense closing period.
The hosts poured forward in search of an equaliser, forcing England onto the defensive during an extended period of stoppage time.
Pickford and the England defence stood firm under intense pressure to preserve their narrow advantage.
The victory also helped England banish memories of their painful World Cup defeat at the Azteca in 1986, when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to victory with two memorable goals.
England now turn their attention to a quarter-final meeting with Norway, where they will face the tournament’s leading scorer, Erling Haaland, in what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the last eight.
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