Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham’s brace fire England to a 3-2 classic at Azteca, as the Three Lions survive a red card and 11 minutes of stoppage time to reach the last eight for the first time on Mexican soil.
By Danjuma AMODU
MEXICO CITY Celebration in London, pain in Mexico City as England held on to claim a famous 3-2 win over Mexico at a pulsating Azteca Stadium on Sunday night, advancing to a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal clash with Norway.
A capacity crowd of 80,824 was made to wait an hour because of lightning storms, but once kickoff came, El Tri supporters created a deafening atmosphere for one of the biggest games in the country’s history. What followed was a World Cup classic.
England struck twice in 98 seconds midway through the first half. Declan Rice drove forward in the 36th minute before feeding Bukayo Saka, whose cross found Jude Bellingham to head in at the far post. Almost immediately, Elliot Anderson won the ball high and Anthony Gordon played in Bellingham, who combined with Harry Kane before returning it for Bellingham to make it 2-0.
Mexico responded. Julián Quiñones halved the deficit with a powerful strike past Jordan Pickford, who also denied Raúl Jiménez as the hosts pushed for an equalizer.
The game turned on 54 minutes when Jarell Quansah was sent off on VAR review for a high tackle on Jesús Gallardo. Six minutes later, England extended their lead as Kane converted from the penalty spot after Raúl Rangel brought down Gordon.
Kane then became the first player on record since 1966 to score and concede a penalty in the same World Cup match after fouling Brian Gutiérrez. Jiménez converted in the 69th minute to set up a nerve-shredding finish that included 11 minutes of added time, but England held firm.
ENGLAND’S BIGGEST AWAY TOURNAMENT WIN
The victory ranks among England’s finest results away from home. This was only Mexico’s third home defeat in 90 matches, and England achieved it with 10 men for 36 minutes. Thomas Tuchel’s late changes, including withdrawing Kane in the 90th minute, helped secure the result.
England’s defensive issues persisted, particularly at right back with Quansah suspended for the Norway game. But Pickford’s saves and the experience of John Stones and Dan Burn in a late back five saw them through.
MEXICO ROARED BACK BY THEIR 12TH MAN
Mexico had kept clean sheets through the group stage and Round of 32 but crumbled after conceding first. The Azteca crowd lifted them back, with “Sí, se puede” chants echoing after Quiñones’ goal. Jiménez, playing in his adopted home country, led the line with seven shots and a late penalty.
BELLINGHAM FOLLOWS MARADONA’S FOOTSTEPS
Bellingham became the first player since Diego Maradona in 1986 to score twice at the Azteca in a World Cup, with expertly timed runs into the box. His partnership with Kane was again decisive, as the captain turned provider for the second.
Anthony Gordon also impressed on the wing, drawing the penalty for England’s third after an influential display.
INJURY CONCERN FOR TUCHEL AHEAD OF NORWAY
The victory came with a major concern. Jordan Henderson required emergency medical attention and was taken off on a stretcher during post-match celebrations, with his status for the Norway game unclear. Tuchel also managed the game without a fully fit Declan Rice, who played through a knock and an early yellow card, while Reece James missed out with a hamstring problem and Djed Spence was absent due to a calf issue.
England now travel to Miami for Saturday’s last-eight meeting with Norway, hoping the injuries and suspension do not derail a campaign that just survived its toughest test yet on Mexican soil.
