England battled heroically to reach the World Cup quarter-final after beating Mexico 3-2 with 10 men in a chaotic encounter at the Estadio Azteca. Jude Bellingham's brace within two minutes in the first half put England in dreamland before a crazy game played out.
First-Half Fireworks
Mexico struck back before the break through Julian Quinones. Jarell Quansah saw red following a VAR review 10 minutes into the second half, fuelling an already chaotic game. Harry Kane struck from the spot to re-establish the two-goal lead despite being a man down, but VAR again haunted England when Kane was penalised for kicking Brian Gutierrez's leg in the box. Raul Jimenez extended his stunning record from the spot to create a nerve-shredding ending.
England knew they had to get through the opening stages in front of a hostile crowd, but Declan Rice's yellow card for a high foot was not a wise start as the boisterous Mexico crowd called for an early red card. No chance it was worthy of a red, but certainly an obvious and clumsy booking to pick up in the opening seconds, especially in the incredibly high bar at this tournament.
The Three Lions looked nervy but their hosts were unable to get a hold of the ball until Raul Jimenez called Jordan Pickford into action just over 10 minutes in. His powerful, low header had to be pushed away by the Everton stopper, who will have been thankful to save the early effort after his disappointing attempt for DR Congo's goal in the round of 32.
Tactical Masterstroke
England would have been happy enough at the hydration break, with Mexico largely looking short of ideas, but the home side came out controlling the game and on the front foot, dominating the ball as England sat in. But the tactics worked: a counter-attack, led by Rice, saw him roll through his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka down the right. Back in the starting line-up as he continues to return to fitness, Saka took on his man and hung a delivery into the back post where Bellingham arrived unmarked to bravely head home from six yards.
Just two minutes later, Bellingham was holding his arms above his head again with his trademark celebration after brilliant tenacious work from Anthony Gordon won the ball back high up the pitch. The new Barcelona £70million man rolled through Kane, who picked out a pass only he could to square to Bellingham to tap in and deliver what looked a devastating blow.
Mexico Strikes Back
But the goal sparked Mexico to hit back, and a brilliant strike from Quinones just four minutes later halved the deficit. England had to survive a late onslaught to reach the break still ahead, something that fans would have bitten your hand off when the Three Lions were struggling to get a hold of the ball.
The game boiled over just 10 minutes into the second half when Jarell Quansah went in for a heavy challenge in his own half. Play initially carried on despite complaints from the Mexico bench as England went down the other end as Anthony Gordon won a dangerous free-kick. However, the break in play saw the Mexicans lead their complaints, and eventually the referee was sent to the screen by the VAR to review a potential red card.
Red Card Drama
Upon watching the replay, Quansah had launched into the tackle and completely mistimed his challenge, getting his studs on the ball but his momentum taking him over and his studs making contact at force high on the leg of Jesus Gallardo. The decision was without doubt the correct one as Quansah's shocking tackle saw him become the first England player to be sent off at the World Cup since Wayne Rooney in 2006.
John Stones was sent on to replace Bukayo Saka to restore England back to four defenders. Despite being a man down, England won a penalty through more brilliant work from Harry Kane and Gordon. The new Barcelona star rounded the goalkeeper and was brought down, seeing Kane dispatch the penalty to restore the two-goal lead.
VAR Intervention
However, the joy was short-lived as Mexico were awarded a penalty of their own following another VAR intervention after Harry Kane had kicked the back of Brian Gutierrez's leg attempting a clearance in the box. Raul Jimenez extended his perfect record from the spot to add another twist to the crazy game, making the score 3-2 with 20 minutes to play.
Tuchel fully pulled the handbrake on, bringing on Dan Burn and Djed Spence for Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, reverting to a back five with 10 men behind the ball. The decision to change the shape is why Tuchel is paid the big money to be England boss.
