Ten-man England survive Azteca hostility to edge Mexico 3-2 in World Cup thriller

Jude Bellingham scored twice and Jordan Pickford produced a string of vital saves as ten-man England survived a ferocious atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca to beat Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup round of 16, with Thomas Tuchel’s side reduced to ten men for more than 40 minutes after Jarell Quansah’s straight red card.

England were sharp and purposeful in the first half, taking the lead on 36 minutes through a slick counter-attack: Pickford found Declan Rice, Rice released Bukayo Saka, and Saka’s delivery was headed home by a diving Bellingham. The second goal arrived almost immediately after the restart, Elliot Anderson robbing possession in the final third before Harry Kane’s low cross was turned in — Bellingham again.

Mexico clawed one back before half-time when Julian Quinones volleyed home a loose ball from a free kick to make it 2-1, and only another sharp Pickford save and a last-ditch Bellingham intervention on the resulting corner kept England’s lead intact at the break.

The second half brought fresh drama. Nico O’Reilly struck the post for England within five minutes of the restart, and then referee Alireza Faghani reviewed a high challenge from Quansah at the pitchside monitor and produced a straight red card, leaving England with ten men.

Far from retreating, England extended their lead almost immediately. Anthony Gordon latched onto Kane’s flick, drove into the box and was fouled by goalkeeper Raul Rangel. Kane stepped up and converted the penalty despite Rangel getting a hand to it, making it 3-1.

Mexico were awarded a penalty of their own on 67 minutes after Faghani reviewed a Kane challenge on Brian Gutierrez inside the England box. Raul Jimenez’s stuttering run-up sent Pickford the wrong way, and the ball crept into the bottom corner to set up a tense finale at 3-2.

England held on through a breathless closing spell, with millions of supporters back home watching past 4am. Alan Shearer described the performance as one of England’s greatest ever, a verdict that felt difficult to argue with given the circumstances — a hostile venue, a man down for the best part of an hour, and a two-goal lead that had to be defended with everything Tuchel’s squad had.