England booked their place within the World Cup quarter-finals after surviving a chaotic encounter towards co-hosts Mexico, edging a pulsating contest 3-2 in entrance of a hostile crowd on the Azteca Stadium.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in a devastating first-half spell earlier than Harry Kane’s second-half penalty proved to be the winner, as Thomas Tuchel’s facet overcame a crimson card, two penalties and relentless late strain to safe an unbelievable win.
England stand up to early Mexico strain
The ambiance contained in the stadium was ferocious from the opening whistle and Mexico fed off the power of the house crowd throughout a energetic begin.
Declan Rice was booked contained in the opening minute after catching teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora with a excessive boot, instantly putting England’s midfielder on a tightrope.
Mexico created the primary clear opening when Roberto Alvarado delivered a harmful cross from the best, permitting Raul Jimenez to look a header in the direction of purpose. Jordan Pickford reacted brilliantly, diving low to his proper to maintain the ball out.
England steadily settled into the competition and started to search out pleasure by Anthony Gordon down the left flank, however clear-cut alternatives remained restricted in a tense opening half-hour.
Bellingham strikes twice in two minutes
The sport exploded into life within the thirty sixth minute.
After Mexico did not capitalise on a promising assault, Pickford launched a fast counter with a pointy throw to Rice.
The midfielder launched Bukayo Saka down the best and the Arsenal winger delivered an inviting cross that evaded Harry Kane earlier than discovering Bellingham unmarked on the far put up. The Actual Madrid star powered a header residence to silence the packed stadium.
Barely two minutes later, England struck once more.
Elliot Anderson received possession excessive up the pitch earlier than Gordon fed Bellingham. The midfielder exchanged passes with Kane earlier than arriving within the field to complete from shut vary and full a 90-second brace that left Mexico surprised.
Quinones sparks Mexico revival
Mexico refused to fold and located a route again into the match earlier than the interval.
Alvarado’s harmful free-kick brought about issues contained in the England penalty space and the free ball fell kindly for Julian Quinones, who reacted quickest to volley into the roof of the web.
The purpose reworked the temper contained in the stadium and Mexico almost levelled earlier than half-time. Pickford produced one other wonderful save to disclaim Jimenez’s highly effective header earlier than Bellingham made a vital last-ditch clearance from Cesar Montes moments later.
Quansah sees crimson as drama intensifies
England almost restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the restart when Nico O’Reilly’s deflected volley crashed towards the put up.
Nonetheless, the momentum shifted halfway by the second half.
Initially escaping punishment for a problem on Jesus Gallardo, Jarell Quansah was ultimately proven a straight crimson card following a VAR assessment. The referee judged that the defender’s follow-through endangered his opponent, decreasing England to 10 males with greater than half an hour remaining.
Tuchel responded by sacrificing attacking choices and introducing defensive reinforcements, however there was nonetheless extra drama to come back.
Kane penalty adopted by Mexico response
Regardless of having a person much less, England regained management of the match within the 58th minute.
Kane muscled his approach by a problem earlier than Anthony Gordon raced onto the free ball and was introduced down by goalkeeper Raul Rangel. The referee pointed straight to the spot and, after a prolonged delay, Kane calmly transformed to make it 3-1.
However the celebrations barely had time to settle earlier than potential catastrophe struck.
Mexico have been awarded a penalty of their very own lower than 10 minutes later after VAR instructed the referee to assessment a problem involving Kane and Brian Gutierrez. Following one other pitchside assessment, the spot-kick was given.
Jimenez stepped up and coolly despatched Pickford the incorrect approach to cut back the deficit to 3-2 and arrange a frantic finale.
England maintain on beneath siege
The ultimate levels turned an train in survival for England. Mexico launched wave after wave of assaults because the hosts searched desperately for an equaliser. Gimenez, Alvarado and Gutierrez all threatened, whereas Pickford handled a number of crosses beautifully.
Spence produced an outstanding sliding deal with to disclaim Gimenez, whereas Marc Guehi and Dan Burn repeatedly cleared harmful deliveries into the field.
Eleven minutes of stoppage time solely elevated the stress, and the noise.
Mexico got here agonisingly shut with nearly the ultimate motion when a free ball ricocheted by the six-yard space, however John Stones slid in to divert it simply large earlier than England lastly cleared their traces.
The ultimate whistle sparked euphoric celebrations among the many England gamers, who had survived probably the most demanding exams of their match to ebook a quarter-final showdown with Norway.
