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MEX 2-3 ENG (FT)
Down a player, England held off a comeback attempt by Mexico, and move onto the quarterfinals after a 3-2 win in Estadio Azteca.
England cast out their demons in Mexico and finally earned a victory at the Estadio Azteca. In a wild round of 16 match where England played down a man for over 30 minutes, the Three Lions progressed to the World Cup quarterfinals after a 3-2 win, handing Mexico their first-ever loss at home in a World Cup game.
A knockout match that just about had it all for mutuals, including two penalties and one red card, England showed why they are considered contenders. With two goals from Jude Bellingham and one from Harry Kane, England ended Mexico's magical run and extended theirs, and they will now face Norway on July 11 in Miami.
Kane's penalty was his sixth goal of the tournament and puts him firmly in the golden boot race alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, Argentina's Lionel Messi, and Norway's Erling Haaland.
England handled the Azteca
It might not have been perfect; in fact, there was outright calamity, but England handled the Azteca with just the right amount of mental focus and preparedness one could have on a quick turnaround.
The squad was content to play the opening half-hour evenly, splitting possession, time on the ball, and shots on target. They showed part of getting a win in Mexico City was neutralizing the environment as much as they could, and getting into the first hydration break was a first step into kicking the game into a gear they were comfortable with.
Anthony Gordon set the tone, put together an underrated man of the match performance, covering ground that no other Englishman before him could cover at 7,220 feet above sea-level. Declan Rice was in support, launching passes and plucking out Gordon or Bellingham when able, and after the first half hour, it all came together for England with Bellingham's first goal.
Mexico's attempt to calm things down took a more lacksidaicak turn instead of a collected effort and Bellingham had a second goal just 90 seconds later.
Despite the early lead, England's resolve was tested by Mexico's surging efforts to close out the first half, with looks on goal by Raul Jimenez, and eventually a breakthrough by Julian Quinones to bring the game within one. The Three Lions held onto the lead at halftime, thanks to massive saves by Pickford and a goalline clearance by Bellingham, as if an omen of what would come next.
A second-half roller coaster
Mexico's efforts to rattle England eventually paid off in other areas. A halftime sub by Javier Agurrire to bring on Edson Alvarez for an injured Cesar Montes, followed by a studs-up tackle by Jarell Quansah on Jesus Gallardo, was deemed a red card offense after VAR review and was a momentum changer for El Tri.
England were down a player before the hour mark, but Mexico failed to capitalize on the advantage, thanks to Gordon's efforts again. The forward sprinted after a long ball through, forcing goalkeeper Tala Rangel to come off his line and make a challenge. The keeper misjudged the run and the ball and took out Gordon's legs. The penalty was awarded to England and Kane scored his sixth goal of the tournament to extend England's lead.
Another impact sub by Mexico for Brian Gutierrez led to a penalty in the box after a foul by Kane, and Jimenez pulled Mexico within one, once more.
The spark of life was just a fleeting moment in the end. While Mexico threw everything they had at England, the earlier mistakes were too many to overcome. England held their nerve, backed by defensive efforts by Pickford, who faced 20 shots from Mexico.
Onto the quarterfinals
After the final whistle, there was exhaustion and joy for England, and tears and defeat for Mexico.
For El Tri, the tournament is over after four games, and reaching a long, elusive fifth World Cup match comes to an end in the place that was deemed a torture chamber for other teams. England snapped a curse that had haunted them since 1986, a crash out in the Estadio Azteca in the quarterfinal. For all the numbers that showed that nearly no one can beat Mexico in Mexico City, England proved they could do that, too.
Now they head to the quarterfinals in Miami, where they will face Norway, led by golden boot co-leader Erling Haaland
