By Ken Ferris
MEXICO CITY, July 6 (Reuters) – Ten-man England weathered a Mexico storm at the Azteca Stadium to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the third straight time with a rip-roaring 3-2 victory over the co-hosts on Sunday thanks to a Jude Bellingham double and Harry Kane penalty.
Thomas Tuchel’s side made it hard for themselves against the co-hosts but handed the battling Mexicans their first-ever World Cup defeat at the iconic venue to set up a last-eight clash with Norway who shocked Brazil 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
Mexico, who beat Ecuador 2-0 in the last 32 for their first knockout-stage win in 40 years, had only lost two competitive games at the Azteca in 89 matches since 1966 but England made it three with a performance of attacking verve and defensive grit.
“It was a crazy game,” Kane said. “We had to fight. We had to find something. I can’t really talk. Yeah, the occasion, the team, everything against us. We found a way.”
After the game was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms, Mexico attacked from the start backed by their fanatical support who raised the decibel level even higher than before but England held firm and managed to take the sting out of the game.
Mexico’s only notable early chance came after 15 minutes when Raul Jimenez’s diving header was brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford after a pinpoint cross from Roberto Alvarado.
PICKFORD SAVES
Pickford, who was to pull off several key saves, was making his 17th World Cup appearance to equal fellow keeper Peter Shilton as the all-time record holder for England’s men’s team.
Player of the match Bellingham put England ahead with a superb diving header from Bukayo Saka’s cross just past the half-hour and made it 2-0 within two minutes after another break down the right with captain Harry Kane providing the assist.
The Mexican crowd responded with chants of “Yes we can” and their players responded when livewire winger Julian Quinones volleyed home inside the box after a scramble following a free kick to get the hosts back into the match.
Soon after the break England went close to extending their lead when Nico O’Reilly hit the post but they were soon to be down to 10 men when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a rash sliding challenge with a high foot on Jesus Gallardo.
The red card was shown by the referee in the 54th minute after a VAR review, leaving Quansah as only the fourth England player ever to be sent off at a World Cup.
The visitors kept their cool, though, and when Anthony Gordon ran through on goal he was fouled by keeper Raul Rangel. Kane calmly scored from the spot on the hour mark.
NO BREATHING SPACE
Just as England looked to enjoy some breathing space, captain Kane gave away a penalty as he tried to clear the ball and after a VAR review the referee pointed to the spot. Raul Jimenez stepped up to make it 3-2 and give Mexico hope again.
With just over 20 minutes to go England had their backs to the wall and had to dig deep to keep the Mexicans at bay. Despite giving up most of the possession, they hung on for a famous victory in the last match of this World Cup in Mexico.
“We needed everything and it was super difficult and always in the moments when we thought we catch the momentum, we had like setbacks, but that’s a proper mentality. Well done,” said Tuchel. “When the going gets tough, they never give up, they never lose belief. It was one step more.”
Mexico had not lost a competitive game at home since 2013 but had to say farewell to a tournament they have graced with passion on the pitch, in the stands and across the country. Their fans sang their hearts out until the very end.
“You can’t make mistakes because they punish you,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “We had a couple of errors there, and it saddens me for the people, but my players can be at peace because they did everything they could against a great team.”
It was England’s first visit to the famous stadium since they lost to Argentina in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals after Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and mazy dribble through a hapless defence sank Bobby Robson’s side.
(Reporting by Ken Ferris; Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)
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