Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane shone again as ten-man England edged out Mexico in a famous and thrilling 3-2 victory to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. In an utterly compelling last-16 clash at a bustling Azteca, England produced a performance that will be remembered as one of their greatest, in which Bellingham struck twice in the space of two minutes before Kane scored the decisive goal from the spot.
First Half Drama
The Three Lions started the stronger of the two teams when play eventually got underway following an hour-long delay, with loud jeers heard around the iconic stadium as Thomas Tuchel's men dominated possession early on. But it was co-hosts Mexico who had the first real chance of the contest and Jordan Pickford had to be at his best to keep out Raul Jimenez's goal-bound header in the 15th minute, producing a fine save down low to his left.
Anthony Gordon fired England's opening opportunity tamely at Raul Rangel after some outstanding play out wide, before Bellingham headed home Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross to silence the home crowd and break the deadlock in the 36th minute. Just moments later, Bellingham had a second to his name as he finished off a free-flowing England move out from the back, only for Mexico to reduce the deficit through Julian Quinones in a frantic end to a rollercoaster first half.
Second Half Thrills and Red Card
The incredible drama continued after the restart as Nico O'Reilly struck against the post with a stunning volleyed effort before Kane restored England's two-goal cushion following Jarell Quansah's red card for a dangerous challenge on Jesus Gallardo. Mexico fought back again, though, as Jimenez converted with a spot-kick of his own after Kane had fouled Brian Gutierrez on the hour-mark, setting up a nerve-shredding finish, in which England dug deep to see out the remaining minutes despite being a man down.
Tuchel's side will pick up their campaign against Norway on Saturday in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium after Erling Haaland and Co saw off Brazil to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation's history.
Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford – 9 Began nervously with a pair of overhit passes out from the back but regained his composure to produce a top save down low to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez's goal-bound header in the 15th minute. Showed great awareness to rush out and shut down Jimenez again just moments before Bellingham's header opener, before keeping out the Wolves attacker's speculative long-range effort with an acrobatic stop on the stroke of half-time. After a mixed start to the tournament, this was Pickford's best performance yet – by a distance.
Jarell Quansah – 4 Given the nod over Djed Spence, the Bayer Leverkusen man combined well with Bukayo Saka down the right flank both in attack and going backwards, and produced a crucial defensive header to halt Mexico's dominance in the dying embers of the first period. However, the defender was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Gallardo as Tuchel's right-back curse struck again, becoming only the fourth England player to be sent off in a World Cup match. Will be devastated to miss the Three Lions' quarter-final with Norway.
Ezri Konsa – 7 Will have been targeting a much-improved display following England's edgy win over DR Congo and the Aston Villa man didn't disappoint. However, both Konsa and Guehi may well be thanking Pickford after the goalkeeper produced a pair of stunning saves in the first half, with the centre-back duo struggling to keep the dangerous Jimenez quiet. Produced a crucial block to keep out Gutierrez's cross-cum-shot as Mexico threatened to make it all square with the clock ticking down.
Marc Guehi – 7 After a shaky performance against DR Congo, the Manchester City central defender will have had a huge confidence boost after bringing an early period of Mexico dominance to a halt with a smart cut-out. Deserves great credit for helping stifle out attack after attack in the closing stages.
Nico O'Reilly – 6 The 21-year-old brushed himself off after a couple of less-than-convincing moments in possession early on and came agonisingly close to scoring England's third at the start of the second half, only to see his stunning volleyed effort come off the upright. Was replaced by Spence after picking up a booking midway through the second half.
Elliot Anderson – 5 Let himself down with some questionable positioning and wayward passing either side of the opening hydration break and was undoubtedly outshone by fellow midfielders Rice and Bellingham.
Declan Rice – 7 A far-from-ideal start to the match for Rice after a yellow card for a high boot in the very first minute – and it appears the Arsenal man is still some way from returning to full fitness from an ongoing neural problem. However, Rice's quality shone through as he scythed through Mexico's midfield for Bellingham's stunning opener.
Jude Bellingham – 9 Continued his outstanding start to the tournament in the opening exchanges and put a huge dent in Mexican confidence levels with a stunning double in a frantic two-minute period towards the end of the first half. But Bellingham headed home Saka's excellent cross to break the deadlock and it was dreamland for the Three Lions as the Real Madrid superstar finished off a free-flowing attack to double his side's advantage. As if that wasn't enough, Bellingham produced an incredible last-ditch challenge to stop a sure-fire Mexican equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Another momentous showing from England's form man at this summer's tournament.
Bukayo Saka – 7 Restored to the side in place of Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke, Saka clumsily overhit England's first corner of the match to relieve the pressure on co-hosts Mexico early on. But the winger picked himself up to assist Bellingham with a perfect cross in the 36th minute, with the ball put on a plate for the onrushing midfielder. Was sacrificed for John Stones after Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute.
Anthony Gordon – 8 Looked sharp and up for the battle from minute one, winning England's first two corners and having the side's first shot on target, causing a struggling Jorge Sanchez all sorts of problems with his lung-busting pace and energy. Won England's vital penalty after an utterly absorbing start to the second period, which Kane duly converted to restore his side's two-goal cushion after Quansah's sending off. One of his finest performances yet in an England shirt.
Harry Kane – 9 After his goalscoring heroics against DR Congo, the Bayern Munich star had to bide his time for opportunities, with the striker's assist for Bellingham's second representing his first meaningful contribution in the final third. Hardly put a foot wrong other than to foul Brian Gutierrez for Mexico's second-half penalty having showed nerves of steel to convert his own spot-kick 15 minutes earlier. Undoubtedly one of the contenders for this year's Golden Boot award, but he will undoubtedly have his eye on the biggest prize of them all this summer.
Substitutes
John Stones – 6 Made a convincing start after replacing Saka at the start of the second half, with the makeshift right-back clearing the ball to safety as Mexico threatened to cancel out Kane's penalty to level.
Djed Spence – 7 May have been feeling the nerves after a difficult outing against DR Congo but did his reputation no harm whatsoever after being introduced for O'Reilly, with the Manchester City youngster on a yellow card. Produced a brilliant last-ditch sliding tackle to frustrate Mexico's Santiago Gimenez, whose eyes lit up with a clear sighting of goal in the 83rd minute.
Dan Burn – 7 The big Newcastle centre-half did everything that was expected of him after coming on in place of Anderson with 15 minutes remaining of normal time.
Morgan Rogers – 6 Came on for Kane as England looked to see out the remaining minutes and didn't put a foot wrong.
