Ten-man England stun Mexico 3-2 to reach World Cup quarterfinals

England delivered a performance for the ages at Estadio Azteca, beating hosts Mexico 3-2 despite Jarell Quansah’s second-half red card to book a World Cup quarter-final with Norway.

The last-16 tie was delayed an hour by severe storms, but Thomas Tuchel’s side showed remarkable composure in one of only 89 competitive defeats Mexico have suffered at their Azteca fortress.

Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock with two goals in 98 seconds before half-time, first rifling home after a slick team move, then pouncing on a loose ball to double England’s lead, reports the BBC.

Jordan Pickford kept England ahead with two superb saves from Raul Jimenez, but he could do nothing to stop Julian Quinones smashing in from close range three minutes before the break to cut the deficit.

Mexico’s relentless crowd lifted the hosts again early in the second half when Quansah saw red for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo.

England responded. Anthony Gordon was brought down by keeper Raul Rangel, and Harry Kane converted the penalty to restore the two-goal cushion.

Drama returned when Kane conceded a spot-kick for catching Brian Gutierrez, with Jimenez making no mistake to make it 3-2.

Tuchel turned to Dan Burn and Djed Spence, shifting to a back five to survive 11 minutes of stoppage time and a frantic atmosphere. Pickford and a desperate defensive rearguard saw England over the line for one of their finest World Cup wins in recent memory.

England will face Norway in the quarter-finals. Mexico exit despite a stirring fightback, their first World Cup home defeat since 2001.

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