England win Mexico thriller to reach World Cup quarter-finals
England overcame hostility, altitude and Jarell Quansah’s red card as Thomas Tuchel’s side edged a 3-2 blockbuster against World Cup co-hosts Mexico to set-up a quarter-final clash with Norway.
The back-to-back European Championship finalists faced all manner of obstacles heading into Sunday’s last-16 tie at the majestic Estadio Azteca, where kick-off was delayed by an hour due to a storm.
England started well 2,200 metres above sea level when the last-16 tie eventually got under way, with Jude Bellingham’s quickfire brace silencing supporters whose hopes would be revived by Julian Quinones before the break.
Mexican belief grew further when right-back Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge early in the second half, only for Tuchel’s team to immediately respond through skipper Harry Kane’s spot-kick.
Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to increase English nerves, yet the visitors showed defensive nous and togetherness to win on a wild night in Mexico City.
A date with Norway in Miami is the reward as England kept their quest for World Cup glory alive and helped avenge Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ on their return to the Azteca after 40 years.
Football’s Coming Home rung around the famous stadium at the end of a match that began with a start as intense as the atmosphere.
Mexico attempted to capitalise on their acclimatisation to altitude but England effectively took the sting out of proceedings, although Jordan Pickford had to produce a world-class stop to deny Jimenez’s header.
The visitors, as planned, got through to the hydration break unscathed and soon began to pose problems at the other end.
Anthony Gordon forced a save from Raul Rangel and an outstanding break brought a memorable 36th-minute opener in Mexico City.
Pickford plucked out a pass and threw out to Declan Rice, who drove from deep in his own half and played wide to Bukayo Saka. The winger sent a fine clipped cross that Bellingham headed home.
It was an incredible moment that was followed by another within two minutes.
Pressure from Elliot Anderson and Gordon saw England gain possession, with Bellingham playing wide to Kane and meeting the skipper’s low ball from close range.
That moment took the electricity out of the Azteca, but the locals were not silenced for long.
Items cascaded down the stands as Mexico celebrated reducing the deficit as Quinones lasered home after England failed to deal with a free-kick.
Tuchel’s side had to hold on for dear life after that. Jimenez struck wide and then saw a header tipped over by Pickford, who roared in delight after Bellingham’s vital challenge on Cesar Montes.
England looked rejuvenated by the break and Nico O’Reilly saw an effort deflect onto a post, but they soon faced another barrier to progress.
The benches clashed as Quansah’s challenge on Jesus Gallardo initially went unpunished, only for referee Alireza Faghani to be sent to the pitchside monitor and return brandishing a red card.
John Stones replaced Saka as Tuchel bolstered his backline after a 54th minute sending off that his side responded well to, with England restoring their two-goal advantage six minutes later.
Faghani pointed to the spot after Gordon was brought down by Rangel with Kane showing nerves of steel to strike the resulting penalty beyond the goalkeeper.
But Mexico, roared on by incredible support, did not give in.
VAR Nicolas Gallo sent referee Faghani to the monitor for a penalty review and adjudged Kane to have caught Brian Gutierrez when clearing. Jimenez just beat Pickford with 69 minutes on the clock.
Tuchel made defence-minded changes during the second-half break as England battened down the hatches.
Key interventions and strong goalkeeping helped keep increasingly desperate Mexico at bay, with penalty appeals waved away.
Stones prodded just wide of his own goal after 11 minutes of stoppage time had elapsed, with England players pouring onto the pitch at full-time.
Published: by Radio NewsHub