England reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over hosts Mexico after surviving a second-half onslaught despite playing with 10 men in their last-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca on Monday.
Jude Bellingham scored twice in the first half before captain Harry Kane converted a penalty after the break as England advanced to a quarter final meeting with Norway.
Mexico threatened a comeback through Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead.
After an evenly contested opening, England struck first in the 36th minute when Bukayo Saka delivered a cross that Bellingham headed past goalkeeper Tala Rangel.
Bellingham doubled England’s advantage two minutes later, finishing calmly after Kane slipped a pass into his path.
Mexico reduced the deficit before halftime when Quiñones capitalised on a loose ball following a free-kick to make it 2-1 in the 43rd minute.
England’s task became more difficult in the 54th minute when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off after a VAR review upgraded his yellow card to a red for a challenge on Jesús Gallardo.
Despite being a man down, England restored their two-goal cushion in the 60th minute when Kane converted from the penalty spot after Anthony Gordon was fouled by Rangel inside the area.
Mexico were awarded a penalty following another VAR review after Kane was ruled to have fouled Brian Gutiérrez in the box, and Jiménez converted in the 69th minute to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The hosts dominated the closing stages, piling pressure on England in front of a vocal home crowd, but Pickford and England’s defence withstood the sustained attacks through more than 10 minutes of stoppage time.
The final whistle confirmed England’s place in the last eight, while Mexico’s hopes of winning the World Cup on home soil came to an end.
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