England reached the World Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca on 5 July, overcoming a second-half red card to set up a meeting with Norway on 11 July.
Thomas Tuchel's side appeared to be in complete control after Jude Bellingham scored twice in just 98 seconds, giving England a two-goal lead in one of their strongest performances of the tournament.
However, the hosts responded before the break as Julián Quiñones pulled one back, reigniting the atmosphere inside the famous Mexico City stadium.
The match swung again shortly after half-time when England defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for an open-soled challenge, leaving the Three Lions to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Despite the setback, England restored their two-goal cushion after Anthony Gordon won a penalty, which Harry Kane calmly converted.
Mexico refused to give up and were awarded a penalty of their own moments later after Kane was penalised for a foul inside the area. Raúl Jiménez converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-2, setting up a tense finale.
England came under sustained pressure during the closing stages but defended resolutely through 12 minutes of added time to secure their place in the last eight.
The victory made England only the third team to defeat Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca and eliminated another World Cup co-host, leaving the U.S. as the only remaining host nation in the tournament.
England will now face Norway, who defeated Brazil earlier in the day, in the quarter-finals on 11 July in Miami.
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his players' determination after the final whistle.
"Pure mentality and heart," Tuchel said after watching his side survive Mexico's second-half pressure.
However, the victory was overshadowed by an injury to midfielder Jordan Henderson. The 36-year-old injured his wrist while celebrating with England supporters after the match, jumping over an advertising hoarding before falling awkwardly.
"I have mixed feelings because I am exhausted and emotional and sad because Jordan got injured his wrist. He is at the moment in the hospital. It is quite a serious injury," he said.
The Football Association later confirmed Henderson would remain in Mexico City with a member of England's medical staff rather than travelling back to Kansas City with the squad.
The defeat marked the end of Javier Aguirre's third spell as Mexico manager.
Aguirre, who had already announced he would leave after the World Cup, backed former Mexico captain Rafa Márquez to take the national team forward following their deepest run at a World Cup in 40 years.
The dramatic contest also drew attention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social shortly after the final whistle:
"Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!"
England's dramatic victory also impressed supporters, with one fan, Nick John, saying: "It feels different this time. England of old would have lost that game. England can go all the way. It was worth staying up late to watch it."
Another supporter, Lauren Heaven, described the match as "one of the most exciting games" of the tournament after watching it live at 2am UK time.
"It was one of the best games of the tournament so far. Bellingham was brilliant with two goals in two minutes. The end was very stressful with Mexico pushing hard, but England defended well," England supporter Lauren Heaven said.
She added: "I thought there was a good chance we'd go out because Mexico had home advantage, but I was very happy to see England pull through."
U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the country’s...
Poland plans to give railway guards powers to neutralise drones threatening rail infrastructure, including in s...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sunday for talks with Central Asian of...
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
A Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia due to a technical malfunction, killing its two crew members, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement on Sunday.
What started out as planned protests against the cost of living, declining public services and education funding in France, quickly devolved into violent riots across the country on Saturday.
The AnewZ documentary “Counterpoint: Two Centuries of German-Azerbaijani Shared History” investigates the story of German settlers who arrived on Azerbaijani lands around two centuries ago and established communities that left a lasting mark on the country’s cultural heritage.
U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the country’s parliamentary election on 27 October, praising him as a strong leader and a partner in the war with Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sunday for talks with Central Asian officials, as the Trump administration seeks to strengthen ties with a resource-rich region bordering China, Russia and Iran.
Poland plans to give railway guards powers to neutralise drones threatening rail infrastructure, including in some cases with firearms, under draft legislation published by the government on Friday.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s approval rating has fallen below 50 per cent for the first time since she took office in October last year, according to a Kyodo News Agency poll published on Sunday, amid criticism of her handling of a scandal involving her former agriculture minister.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment