Jude Bellingham’s double inflicted a rare defeat on Mexico at the Estadio Azteca as 10-man England won a nerve-racking World Cup classic 3-2 to reach the quarter-finals.
Harry Kane also scored from the penalty spot as the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah’s red card, high altitude and a fervent home support to keep their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive.
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England have relied on Bellingham and Kane throughout the tournament and that duo have carried them into a last eight showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds in the first half to condemn Mexico to just a third defeat in 90 matches at the Azteca.
Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez reduced the Mexican arrears but they fell short of a place in the quarter-finals.
Victory also helped to erase some of England’s nightmarish memories at the Azteca in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal.
“Those players have represented their country in magnificent form tonight,” former England striker Alan Shearer said on BBC One.
“Every single player had the right attitude. Everything that could have gone against them, everything that was thrown at them, the energy, the altitude, they have got past all of that and they deserved it. That is an incredible performance from start to finish.
“When they were under the cosh the manager made the right substitutions. The subs came on and they did their job. What an incredible night.”
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t think I have been this tense watching England, since I played.
“What a colossus performance that was from an England side.
“They changed formation, and they dug in. There are a lot of heroes out on that pitch tonight.
“They dug in and somehow they have held on.”
The match was delayed by an hour after a thunder storm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours before the planned 6pm kick-off time.
Despite the sodden conditions, over 80,000 fans crammed into the stadium to create a deafening noise.
“This is an absolute belter of a game. I wish I was in that stadium,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart continued on BBC One.
“The energy is through the roof.”
In the first half, Saka’s cross picked out Bellingham to power in a header for the first goal Mexico had conceded in five World Cup games.
The hosts failed to compose themselves as within two minutes the Real Madrid midfielder had doubled England’s lead.
Kane’s ball across fell perfectly for Bellingham to power in his fourth goal of the tournament, giving England a 2-0 lead.
Earlier on Sunday, FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for a red card during last week’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing the American striker to play in the co-hosts’ Round of 16 showdown against Belgium.
So when Quansah was shown a red card for his late tackle in Mexico City, everyone cracked the same joke.