Mexico 2-3 England: Three Lions hold firm with 10 men to edge past El Tri in World Cup classic | OneFootball

England battled to a first ever win at the Azteca to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup, seeing off co-hosts Mexico 3-2 playing with 10 men since the 54th minute and through 11 added minutes in a crazy last 16 clash.

Jude Bellingham’s two-minute brace and a Harry Kane penalty proved enough to overcome Javier Aguirre’s men, who themselves reduced the deficit twice through Javier Quinones and a Raul Jimenez spot kick.

It was in this very stadium 40 years ago that the Three Lions agonisingly crashed out against Argentina, in large part thanks to Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’, but they proved themselves winners this time around.

But having at long last vanquished those particular demons, Thomas Tuchel’s side can look forward to a quarter-final with Erling Haaland’s Norway on Saturday after an hour-long delay to booking their spot.

As it happened

Following the rain delay a chorus of boos greeted the Three Lions from kickoff, but despite the feisty atmosphere the match started slowly with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes.

With the exception, that is, of Raul Jimenez, who had the game’s first big opportunity when he saw a close range header stunningly saved by Jordan Pickford.

And Mexico continued to look the better side as the half wore on, but 17-year-old wonderkid Gilberto Mora’s jinking run was checked before he could create anything genuinely threatening.

Much to Jordan Pickford’s displeasure Luis Romo had Mexico’s second attempt just after the half hour, a wild strike from distance which sailed well over the bar.

The Mexivans hadn’t conceded a first half goal in their previous 15 games, but one got the feeling the Central Americans would be punished if they failed to capitalise on their dominance.

And they duly were, thanks to a quickfire Bellingham double shortly after Romo’s effort.

The first was classic route one attacking play. Pickford gathered the ball from another dangerous Mexican attack before rolling it out to Declan Rice, who threaded it through for Bukayo Saka to deliver a who’s cross was met perfectlly by the Real Madrid man’s diving header at the back post.

The second was much more incisive. Harry Kane received the ball from Anthony Gordon straight from kickoff, and the Bayern Munich forward squared to Bellingham to tap in a simple second.

Just when the Azteca had been silenced, however, Julian Quinones brought it roaring back into life with a thundering volley after a Mexican free kick was only half cleared by the Three Lions backline.

And Quinones almost turned provider for Raul Jimenez in first half stoppage time, only for the Wolves man to fire just wide before then seeing a header saved by Pickford in pursuit of an equaliser that looked so unlikely less than ten minutes earlier.

The Mexican assault on England’s goal continued at the end of a frantic first 45, as Bellingham turned hero at the other end to deny Cesar Montes – who went off during the interval with injury – inside the six yard box.

It was England, though, who had the first big opportunities of the second period when an O’Reilly ball into area missed everyone before the Man City man saw a fierce shot from distance rebound off the post.

But just when the Three Lions looked to be rebuilding their momentum disaster struck in the form of a Jarrell Quansah red card, which was given via VAR review for a reckless high boot.

Thankfully for England, though, Quansah’s error wasn’t too costly, for mere minutes later Harry Kane netted a pinpoint penalty following Mexico shot stopper Raul Rangel’s foul on Gordon inside the box.

But if Tuchel’s men thought the match was over at this point they were to be proved spectacularly wrong, as Kane’s high boot led to VAR awarding Aguirre’s side a penalty of their own – one which Jimenez duly converted.

From there it was all Mexico, and the 1986 hosts launched wave after wave of attack as they went in search on a triumphant equaliser. But Tuchel brought on Dan Burn and Djed Spence to help see the game out, and in the end England did so.

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Mexico – England Live Score