Jude Bellingham scored twice as England produced one of their greatest World Cup performances, beating Mexico 3-2 at the iconic Azteca Stadium with ten men to reach the quarter-finals, where they will face Norway in Miami.
ENGLAND BREACH THE AZTECA — BELLINGHAM DELIVERS AGAIN
England have done something only two teams in 89 competitive matches had managed before them — won at the Azteca. And they did it with ten men.
In a night of pure theatre, drama and relentless pressure, England beat Mexico 3-2 in Mexico City to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Norway in Miami on Saturday, per BBC Sport.
Jude Bellingham was the centrepiece — scoring twice and delivering an all-round powerhouse performance that included a crucial goalline clearance before half-time. Julian Quinones pulled one back for Mexico before Harry Kane converted a penalty to make it 3-1, only to then concede the spot-kick that allowed Raul Jimenez to set up a nerve-shredding finale.
Then came Jarell Quansah’s red card.
With eleven agonising minutes of stoppage time to survive at altitude, in a stadium that had been building to fever pitch since five hours before kick-off, England held on.
Tuchel deserves enormous credit. He sat his team deep early, drew the sting from Mexico’s players and made bold substitutions after the red card — bringing on John Stones to replace Bukayo Saka, then introducing Dan Burn and Djed Spence to form a back five that ultimately held firm.
Jordan Pickford was equally vital, producing what BBC Sport described as the finest performance of his England career — two magnificent first-half saves from Jimenez and total command of his area throughout. He equalled Peter Shilton’s record of 17 World Cup appearances.
Bellingham, collecting the man of the match award, said: “I dream of being a part of this England squad, bringing my country together, giving them nights like this that they will enjoy for many years to come. I am so proud of this team. What we have done is spectacular.”
Kane, whose goal took his World Cup tally to six, said: “So many heroes out there. This was one of my favourite nights in my career.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport: “Those players have represented their country in magnificent form. That is an incredible performance from start to finish.”
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